Louisiana Data Center News

Apr 22, 2026

Davante Lewis explains how AI data centers could impact Louisiana utility rates

Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis urged caution as Louisiana positions for a wave of AI-driven data center development, warning about potential long-term impacts on utility rates.

Davante Lewis warned that the expansion of AI-driven data centers in Louisiana could affect long-term utility rates, urging regulators and stakeholders to proceed with caution as development accelerates.
The remark was reported by Business Report / Insider (article behind a subscriber paywall); the coverage presents this as a regulatory warning rather than a new policy announcement or a specific commercial deal.

Apr 21, 2026

On Permitting, Delaware's Democratic Governor Gets Praise from Conservative Analyst

Delaware Governor Matt Meyer issued an executive order to accelerate broadband permitting and related reviews.

Executive action: Gov. Matt Meyer’s executive order (Permitting Accelerator) will clear permit backlogs, establish expedited review for energy projects, and require state agencies to submit public progress reports; the order was referenced in coverage on April 21, 2026.
Context and advocacy:Satya Marar (Research Fellow, Mercatus Center at George Mason University) published a supportive blog post arguing that reducing regulation will help close the digital divide and enable AI, autonomous vehicles, and telemedicine; a coalition of broadband trade groups pushed for the American Broadband Deployment Act on April 14, 2026, a bill first introduced in 2020 and re-introduced multiple times, which could come to a House floor vote this week according to House Majority Leader Steve Scalise.

Apr 21, 2026

Amazon wins round in fight over Shreveport data center

A Caddo Parish judge dismissed legal challenges, clearing the way for Amazon’s long-delayed data center project at Resilient Technology Park in west Shreveport.

Clearing action: The judge’s ruling removes legal obstacles that had stalled development for three months, allowing issuance of a special use permit tied to the multibillion dollar project; the decision affirms the City Council’s approval, which had overridden an initial rejection from the Planning Commission.
Background and details: The site at Resilient Technology Park is part of a regional push for large-scale cloud infrastructure; while Amazon has not disclosed exact costs, similar projects in the area have carried price tags of roughly $6 billion each, contributing to a broader $12 billion regional commitment; environmental groups oppose the project and are weighing an appeal.

Apr 16, 2026

Blue Owl Builds a Capital Platform for the Hyperscale AI Era

Blue Owl announced the final close of Digital Infrastructure Fund III at $7 billion and is repositioning itself as a capital platform for hyperscale and AI infrastructure.

Main announcement: Blue Owl completed a $7 billion final close of Digital Infrastructure Fund III (hard cap), nearly doubling its original $4 billion target; the fund will develop, acquire, and own data centers and connectivity assets, focusing on large-scale build-to-suit projects for hyperscalers. The firm integrated IPI Partners (closed Jan 6, 2025, bringing >$11 billion AUM) and installed Matt A’Hearn as head of digital infrastructure to support the expansion.
Background and details: Blue Owl has entered multiple structures including a Meta joint venture (Hyperion) where Blue Owl-managed funds hold 80% and Meta 20%, with ~$27 billion estimated development costs (Blue Owl contributed roughly $7 billion cash; Meta received a one-time distribution of ~$3 billion); the firm also announced a QIA partnership (launched with >$3 billion initial assets) and backed projects like the Abilene campus (1.2 GW initial, potential ~2.1 GW with Microsoft additions; second phase construction began March 2025 with initial energization expected mid-2026).

Apr 16, 2026

PSC agrees to fast-track Entergy’s $20B plan to power Meta’s data center

The Louisiana Public Service Commission voted to fast-track Entergy’s proposal to build seven new natural gas power plants to power Meta’s data center in Richland Parish.

4-1 vote: The PSC voted 4-1 to accelerate regulatory review under the “Lightning Initiative”, advancing Entergy’s application that would add seven new natural gas power plants (on top of three previously approved) in a proposal estimated at more than $20 billion and setting a compressed timeline for a final decision later this year.
Procedure and opposition: The vote does not approve the build-out itself but shortens the review period; Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis opposed the fast-track, stating “We’re telling ourselves we’re going to take eight months on seven natural gas power plants. To me, that timeline is a mismatch.” Supporters argue the acceleration is needed for Louisiana to remain competitive for energy-intensive data centers.

Apr 13, 2026

Roundup: Pickleball’s impact / Plumber licensing overhaul / Industrial growth

Louisiana lawmakers have advanced a proposal to overhaul plumber licensing.

Main action: The bill would dissolve the state plumbing board, cut required training hours roughly in half, expand training pathways, and allow some plumbers to work independently; supporters say it could ease labor shortages and speed construction, while critics warn it may weaken standards and public safety.
Other items in the report:Bob Johannessen, social media director for the Louisiana Department of Insurance, will speak to the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge about pickleball’s impact on the local economy (Rotary meets at noon each Wednesday at Drusilla Seafood); and Caddo Parish officials face pushback over industrial development, with debates about increased truck traffic on residential roads tied to major projects including data centers.

Apr 6, 2026

Roundup: US services activity drops / Billy Nungesser / Data centers

Investors are pressuring Amazon, Microsoft and Google to disclose more about the environmental impact of their rapidly expanding data centers.

Main announcement: Investors/shareholders are pressing Amazon, Microsoft and Google to disclose water and energy use and other environmental impacts of U.S. data centers; AI-driven demand is cited as driving expansion, and community opposition has stalled some projects.
Context and related details: The push is occurring ahead of annual meetings, with shareholders seeking greater transparency. Related factual details from the bulletin: S&P Global‘s final March U.S. services business activity index fell to 49.8 (preliminary 51.1); Louisiana Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser will speak at the Press Club of Baton Rouge on April 6, doors open 11:30 a.m., program begins 12:15 p.m. at Drusilla Place Catering, addressing Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism initiatives for 2026.

Apr 2, 2026

Roundup: Starbucks / Blue Owl pullback / US trade deficit

Starbucks has announced plans to expand tipping options and introduce performance-based bonuses for U.S. baristas this summer.

Main announcement: Starbucks will expand tipping options and introduce performance-based bonuses for baristas in the United States, changes expected this summer that could boost worker pay by up to 8% amid ongoing labor negotiations with unionized stores.
Additional items / context: Blue Owl is facing a surge in investor redemptions (nearly 22% requested in its flagship fund; more than 40% in its tech-focused fund) and has capped withdrawals at 5%; Blue Owl is also the majority owner of Meta’s $10 billion Louisiana data center project. Separately, the U.S. trade deficit widened in February as exports (notably gold and natural gas) and imports (computers and autos) both rose.

Apr 1, 2026

Lafayette’s LFT Fiber Steadily Expands, Offers Even Faster Speeds

LFT Fiber has announced expanded fiber coverage and new faster residential speed tiers.

Main announcement: LFT Fiber (formerly LUS Fiber) expanded its fiber footprint, now passing 95,000 households and businesses in Lafayette Parish, completed a planned expansion into Eunice (announced in February), and is extending 2 Gbps and 5 Gbps residential service tiers (previously business-only). The provider currently offers 250 Mbps ($55/month), 500 Mbps ($65/month), and 1 Gbps ($85/month) retail tiers.
Background and details: Expansion has been funded in part by ARPA and other state and federal broadband grants (linked reporting references a $31 million federal grant for rural expansion); LFT emphasizes reinvestment of revenue into the community and published a website FAQ explaining staged rollouts. The article also notes Louisiana’s municipal broadband preemption laws that limit other municipalities from following Lafayette’s model.

Apr 1, 2026

Carr's FCC Expected to Release Public Notice on Achieving U.S. Drone Dominance

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is seeking new ideas on ways to boost U.S. drone dominance.

Public Notice expected today: The FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and Office of Engineering and Technology are expected to issue a Public Notice seeking comment on regulatory and spectrum changes to strengthen U.S. drone technology, manufacturing, and operations; Carr visited Anduril Industries’ Texas test site on Tuesday with CEO Brian Schmipf and COO Matt Grimm to view drone and counter-drone demonstrations and tied the effort to President Trump‘s strategy for American drone dominance.
Background and related items: Other items in the briefing include Nexstar‘s claim that a judge created a ‘governance vacuum’ with the TEGNA TRO, Scripps closing an $83 million sale of its ABC Indianapolis station to Circle City Broadcasting, an Amazon Leo–Delta Airlines Wi‑Fi partnership, and reported concerns from Sen. Blumenthal about Big Tech data center risk concealment.

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