Data Center Signal is tracking 36 clips about Entergy data center developments across 7 states, including LA, MS, AR, DC, IN.
Jackson residents are actively opposing a proposed data center, while a new report claims that data centers in Mississippi are causing residential electricity rates to increase by $10.60 per month. The report attributes this to a lack of transparency and legislative changes that curtailed regulatory oversight, leading to concerns about cost shifting to residents and potential stranded assets.
Little Rock leaders enacted an ordinance establishing new rules for large-scale data centers, including restrictions on water consumption, emissions, noise, and residential setbacks. This follows public concern over environmental impacts and land use from projects by AVAIO Digital and Google. Google and Entergy representatives spoke to the board, addressing infrastructure costs and utility benefits.
Mississippi and Entergy are demonstrating how data centers can reduce electricity costs and improve grid reliability for all customers, projecting over $2 billion in savings for Entergy Mississippi customers over 20 years. Amazon is doubling its investment in the state, expanding operations in Madison County, adding a new $1 billion project in Clinton, and building a data center in Vicksburg. These developments, supported by state government engagement and Entergy's "Fair Share Plus" pledge, aim to strengthen the grid, create jobs, generate tax revenue, and keep residential power bills lower.
A new study by Synapse Energy Economics Inc. claims that data center construction, particularly by Amazon, has increased energy costs for Entergy residential customers in Mississippi by an average of $10.60 per month since 2024. Critics point to a state bill (SB 2001) that eased regulatory oversight, while Amazon and Entergy dispute the findings, stating that data centers contribute to grid improvements and ultimately lower bills. The debate highlights transparency concerns regarding utility agreements and data center investments in the state.
Pulaski County has enacted a year-long moratorium on data center development, but controversially exempted a project by AVAIO Digital. This decision has sparked significant opposition from community groups and local political figures, who criticize the special exemption and hint at potential legal challenges. Meanwhile, the county's planning department is developing new land-use regulations for future data center projects.
A Ridgeland, Mississippi developer, PraCon Global Investment Group, has filed a Rule 24 petition with the Mississippi Public Service Commission, seeking an exemption from utility regulation for a proposed 350-megawatt gas-fired power plant and AI data center complex. Despite the project's conceptual stage, this legal challenge pits the developer against major utilities Entergy and Mississippi Power, potentially threatening their monopolies. The outcome will test interpretations of state utility law and could have significant implications for future power and data center development.
Data centers are rapidly expanding across Mississippi, creating jobs and significant investment, but drawing criticism over their environmental impact and strain on local resources like water and electricity. While officials highlight economic benefits and mitigation efforts, critics are calling for a moratorium on new developments until environmental assessments are conducted.
Two large data centers by Google and AVAIO Digital are being developed in the Little Rock metro area, prompting local officials and utilities to address community concerns. Officials clarified that the projects would not lead to increased utility rates for residents and that the companies would cover infrastructure costs. The data centers are also expected to generate significant tax revenue for the city and county.
The Livingston Economic Development Council hosted a panel to discuss the potential impacts and benefits of data centers on local communities, focusing on power and water usage. Experts from state development, conservation, and utility companies addressed common questions, though no specific data center project is currently underway in the parish. However, a deal worth $2 billion between Entergy and Meta for data center grid programming was mentioned.
Google is constructing a $4 billion data center in West Memphis, Arkansas. Public information, particularly regarding the energy rate contract with Entergy, is being kept secret by Google, state leaders, and economic development officials.
The Economic Development Corp. of Clark County approved the sale of a 991-acre site for "Project Pulse," a $1 billion data center campus near Arkadelphia, expected to create 150 jobs. The article addresses public concerns and "false narratives" about data centers regarding power, water, noise, and environmental impact. It also references other major data center projects by AVAIO Digital and Google in Pulaski County, Arkansas.
The England Economic and Industrial Development District (EEIDD) has approved a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement for a prospective $7.2 billion Applied Digital data center in Rapides Parish, Louisiana. This agreement outlines how local taxing authorities would receive payments over 25 years. The project, which is not yet finalized, has raised concerns among community members and activists regarding its environmental impact, high electricity consumption, and water usage.
Entergy announced that its data center agreements have resulted in $7 billion in savings for its customers. This statement highlights the financial impact of data center operations on the utility's service area.
A WIRED review of permit documents indicates that 11 new gas-powered data center campuses across the US could emit over 129 million tons of greenhouse gases annually, more than entire nations. These projects are linked to major AI companies like OpenAI, Meta, Microsoft, and xAI, aiming to bypass traditional grids through "behind-the-meter" power generation. The significant environmental impact has drawn community opposition and a lawsuit against xAI in Memphis, Tennessee.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), backed by the White House, is preparing a proposal to assert federal authority over how large electricity customers, particularly data centers, are integrated into the national power grid. This aims to accelerate AI infrastructure development and standardize grid interconnection, while also addressing the immense energy consumption of data centers and the allocation of costs for grid upgrades. The move is contentious, facing pushback from state regulators and public opposition over impacts on utility bills and local resources.
Google is planning a five-building data center in Little Rock, Arkansas, near the Sweet Home community. While the Little Rock Regional Chamber supports the investment, community groups are concerned about its impact on electricity, water, and public safety. The project is currently in the permitting phase.
The Louisiana Public Service Commission has approved Entergy's $27 billion plan to fast-track the construction of new power plants and transmission lines to support a second Meta AI data center in Holly Ridge. This controversial project, bypassing traditional review, has raised concerns over cost and oversight, leading to a dissenting vote from one commissioner. The rapid expansion and financial implications are expected to be a subject of ongoing debate.
The Louisiana Public Service Commission has approved an accelerated timeline for Entergy's $21 billion proposal to build seven new gas plants and infrastructure. This massive power expansion is specifically intended to support Meta's second planned data center in Richland Parish, Louisiana. Critics warn that fast-tracking the approval process could lead to higher electricity bills and potentially worse service for ratepayers if the investment doesn't pan out.
Louisiana regulators approved a fast-track timeline for Entergy to seek final approval to build seven new power plants intended to fuel Meta's massive $27 billion artificial intelligence data center project in Richland Parish. The decision, made despite some opposition that called the fast-tracking "premature," ensures Entergy can bypass a formal administrative law judge recommendation, with Entergy and Meta committed to covering all associated costs.
Entergy has cleared a initial regulatory hurdle to expedite construction of energy infrastructure for a new data center in Richland Parish, complementing Meta's existing facility. The utility seeks exemptions under the Governor's Lightning Initiative to bypass competitive bidding processes for a $13 billion power generation and transmission project. This decision, approved by a 4-1 commission vote, faces significant opposition from advocacy groups concerned about transparency, costs to ratepayers, and potential environmental impacts.