Data Centers

Construction on the Meta data center in Holly Ridge, Louisiana, on Monday, April 6, 2026.

New funds for Acadiana projects; Gov. Landry’s exec order to protect ratepayers; LSU students investigate cold cases

Today on Louisiana Considered, we hear from three current and former LSU students who investigated the killings of two Black World War II veterans in Louisiana more than 70 years ago. We also dive into an executive order to protect data centers, despite concerns for ratepayers, and catch up on the latest news in Acadiana.

Entergy Corp’s natural 560-megawatt gas-fired unit at the Ninemile power plant in Westwego. The $655 million unit went online in December 2014.

Advocates cite lack of transparency, rising costs as regulators fast-track second Meta data center

Michael McEwen

Commissioners approved three gas power plants for Meta’s ‘Hyperion’ data center, the first project in Richland Parish, last year, bringing the total to ten.

Health

We’re monitoring the air and water around Meta’s data center in Louisiana. Here’s why.

Drew Hawkins, Jay Marcano (For the Gulf States Newsroom)

Residents around Meta’s data center in Holly Ridge, Louisiana, say the air is brown and the water is rust-colored. The Gulf States Newsroom is starting a monitoring project to test the air quality.