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Louisiana Fast-Tracks Seven New Gas Plants for Meta Data Center — Ratepayer Costs Could Hit $26 Billion
LA
Data Centers · Utility Regulation
April 15, 2026
Source: Targeted News Service (Union of Concerned Scientists)
The Louisiana Public Service Commission voted to adopt a fast-track schedule for Entergy Louisiana's application to build seven new gas-fired power plants for Meta's Hyperion data center in Richland Parish. These would join three gas plants already approved in August 2025, bringing the total to 10 plants generating approximately 7.5 gigawatts — more than six times the peak electricity demand of New Orleans, or enough to power roughly 5.6 million homes.
The Union of Concerned Scientists released a report finding that high data center growth could increase Louisiana's electricity system costs by $26 billion over 15 years, with up to $90 billion in public health and climate damages from increased fossil fuel pollution. UCS senior energy analyst Paul Arbaje called the fast-track process a way to “evade public scrutiny.” The Commission is considering bypassing a formal recommendation from the administrative law judge and the competitive bidding process designed to ensure lowest-cost resources — two safeguards designed to protect ratepayers from overpaying.
Community Takeaway
This is a case study in how regulatory fast-tracking can limit public input. The Commission is considering skipping both the ALJ recommendation and the competitive bidding process. Louisiana's “Lightning Amendment” is state-specific, but the pattern of streamlining regulatory review for data center projects is emerging in multiple states. Communities facing similar proposals should ask whether their state's utility commission process includes independent cost review and competitive procurement requirements, and whether those protections can be waived.
What You Can Do
- Comment on the LPSC proceeding
- Entergy Louisiana’s application to build seven additional gas plants is before the Louisiana Public Service Commission on a fast-track schedule. Louisiana ratepayers can file public comments or requests to intervene through the LPSC website. Search for Entergy Louisiana’s resource plan docket.
- Ask whether competitive bidding was required
- The Commission is considering waiving the competitive procurement process. Contact your LPSC commissioner to ask why ratepayers are not being protected by competitive bidding for $26 billion in potential costs.
- Check your own state’s utility commission process
- If a data center is proposed in your area, ask your state utility commission whether power plant approvals require independent cost review and competitive procurement — and whether those protections can be waived.
Source: Targeted News Service (Union of Concerned Scientists), April 15, 2026.