Request for more information about massive Louisiana data center denied
The Louisiana Public Service Commission voted to deny a subpoena seeking more information about Meta's planned data center in Richland Parish. Advocacy groups had requested data on projected energy load and economic development, which Meta claims will not negatively impact the public or grid reliability.
The Louisiana Public Service Commission (PSC) voted 3-1 to vacate a subpoena that aimed to compel Meta to provide additional information about its proposed data center in Richland Parish. The subpoena was filed by two Louisiana advocacy groups seeking clarification on Meta's projected energy load and economic development figures, which Meta has stated include plans to hire approximately 1,000 people and claims energy costs will not be passed on to the public.
During an hour-long public comment session held in Baton Rouge, residents from across the state expressed support for requiring the tech company to disclose more details or voiced outright opposition to the data center project. Concerns included the actual number and permanence of jobs and the potential impact of the data center's power consumption on the state's grid reliability.
Public Service Commissioner John Paul Cusson pushed back against the notion that information was being hidden, asserting that relevant data is "readily accessible to the public by watching, by watching the news and understanding what's happening."