Data Center Signal is tracking 12 clips about Entergy Mississippi data center developments across 2 states, including MS, CA.
Mississippi Senate candidate Scott Colom is campaigning against data center construction, claiming it has increased Entergy customers' electricity costs. Entergy Mississippi disputes the claim, while Colom also faces criticism for using an AI-generated video targeting incumbent Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith.
U.S. Senate candidate Scott Colom says Mississippi data center development is raising household electricity costs and has called for a pause on construction. Entergy Mississippi disputes that claim, saying data center customers fully fund their infrastructure needs and that their growth is helping keep residential rates lower than they otherwise would be.
Residents in Vicksburg, Mississippi, are protesting a proposed $3 billion Amazon data center near Dana Road Elementary School. Concerns include increased energy and water costs, noise, light, and environmental impacts, despite promises of jobs and tax revenue. Entergy Mississippi stated that Amazon would cover higher power costs, not other customers.
Approximately 50 residents gathered in Vicksburg, Mississippi, to protest the planned Amazon Web Services data center in Warren County, raising concerns about increased energy and water costs and potential health risks. This $3 billion project, announced in November 2025, is the largest in Warren County's history and is expected to create 200 direct and 500 indirect jobs.
The Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Regulation Task Force is evaluating whether state-level regulations are needed for data centers, addressing concerns about power bills, water usage, and local control. While companies like Amazon and Entergy claim data centers don't negatively impact rates, residents in Southaven are actively opposing a SpaceXAI data center due to noise and pollution concerns, leading to ongoing lawsuits. The task force is expected to make recommendations to the Legislature regarding state regulations versus local control, particularly for issues like behind-the-meter power generation.
Residents in Monterey Park, California, voted to permanently ban data centers, marking the first such ban via ballot measure. This comes as New York State enacted a one-year moratorium on new data centers, requiring environmental impact assessments and labor protections. Meanwhile, Ohio provided $2.3 billion in tax breaks to major tech companies for data centers, and Mississippi customers faced $38 million in energy bill increases for data center infrastructure.
Entergy Mississippi announced that data center projects it serves are projected to deliver over $2 billion in savings to customers over the next two decades. These projects, including Amazon's developments in Clinton and Vicksburg, will also help fund grid upgrades and stabilize electricity prices statewide. The utility credits state government engagement for securing agreements where tech companies contribute to infrastructure costs.
A Jackson developer, Gabriel Prado, is moving forward with plans for a tech campus, including a data center and a 1-gigawatt natural gas power plant, despite the Mississippi Public Service Commission denying a previous request for a declaratory opinion. This comes amidst local opposition to a proposed data center moratorium and a rezoning request by Saxum Investment Group for another data center site in the Jackson metro area. Prado's company, Prado AI, will now seek full permitting for the power plant.
PraCon Global Investment Group has requested Mississippi regulators to confirm that private, on-site power generation for data centers is not a public utility, aiming to allow AI industrial campuses to build off-grid power sources. This move could significantly impact utilities like Entergy and Southern Company. Concurrently, Jackson City Council is considering a temporary moratorium on new data center development to study impacts.
Amazon announced an additional $11 billion investment in its data center operations in Madison County, Mississippi, bringing its total planned capital in the state to $25 billion. Company officials outlined plans to ensure water positivity and avoid impacting local electricity ratepayers, collaborating with Entergy Mississippi. This expansion will create 700 new jobs.
Amazon is investing an additional $12 billion in Mississippi data centers, bringing its total planned investment in the state to $25 billion. This expansion includes extending operations in Ridgeland and establishing a presence in Clinton, creating 800 new jobs. The company, along with utility Entergy Mississippi, addressed concerns regarding water consumption and electricity rates, emphasizing water-friendly designs and positive impacts on utility bills.
Patrick Sullivan's opinion column argues that Mississippi is well-positioned as a low-cost energy state due to the growth of data centers. He contends that large electricity users like data centers, specifically citing Amazon, can actually drive down retail electricity prices and fund essential grid infrastructure upgrades. Entergy Mississippi has announced significant savings for customers and grid strengthening projects directly attributed to data center revenues.