Louisiana Data Center News

Apr 28, 2026

Meta Secures 1 GW Space-Based Solar Power Deal for Data Centres

Meta Platforms has agreed with Overview Energy to secure up to 1 GW of space-based solar capacity for its data centre operations by 2030.

Agreement details: Meta will gain early access to up to 1 GW of capacity from Overview Energy’s space-based solar system; an orbital demonstration is expected in 2028 with commercial power delivery in 2030, and financial details were not disclosed.
Background and context: The deal responds to rising electricity demand driven by AI and data centre growth; Meta is developing multiple gigawatt-scale data centres in the United States, including a rural Louisiana project estimated at $50 billion, and has existing partnerships with Vistra, Oklo, and TerraPower while committing to net-zero by 2030 and contracting 10.24 GW of clean energy capacity in 2025.

Apr 27, 2026

How Wall Street is helping finance Hut 8’s St. Francisville data center

Hut 8 has announced it is heading to the bond market to help finance its planned $3 billion, 245-megawatt data center in St. Francisville.

Bond sale to finance $3 billion project: Hut 8 is selling bonds to help fund a $3 billion, 245-megawatt data center in St. Francisville, tied to a long-term lease backed by cloud startup Fluidstack and supported by Google; the facility is expected to draw significant power under an Entergy subsidiary agreement.
Background and context: The move is reported by Bloomberg and marks a strategic shift for Hut 8 from Bitcoin mining toward energy-linked AI infrastructure; the deal exemplifies growing investor appetite for data center debt and underscores Louisiana’s emerging role in the AI economy.

Apr 24, 2026

Was Louisiana’s energy boom overpromised?

Verite reports a new data analysis showing large capital spending in Louisiana has delivered little long-term job growth.

Main finding: Verite’s analysis finds more than $90 billion in capital spending over the past decade produced only marginal employment growth, with automation reducing permanent jobs tied to major facilities and questions emerging as state leaders pursue another $100 billion wave of investment tied to LNG exports, data centers and chemical manufacturing.
Context and details: The piece is a new report/analysis (not a policy announcement) that contrasts short-term construction jobs and indirect economic impacts with weaker long-term returns, highlights concerns about pollution, population loss and generous tax incentives, and records industry proponents continuing to support large-scale projects. No implementation timelines or specific project names are announced in the article.

Apr 22, 2026

Gov. Shapiro moves to keep 2 coal-fired power plants open in Western Pa., as energy demand from data centers grows

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection filed a motion to enter a consent decree to keep the Keystone and Conemaugh coal-fired power plants open through 2032.

Consent decree filed (April 20): The DEP moved to enter a consent decree with Keystone-Conemaugh Projects, LLC allowing Keystone Generating Station (Armstrong & Indiana counties) and Conemaugh Generating Station (Indiana County) to remain operating through 2032, subject to a schedule to construct wastewater treatment systems and comply with 2020 federal wastewater limits; failure to meet the schedule carries fines of $150 to $1,500 per day. The agreement cites a Nov 2025 EPA rule proposal that permits revised compliance schedules in cases of “unexpected change” in electricity demand and was filed in Indiana County Court of Common Pleas.
Background and context: Keystone-Conemaugh had announced a planned 2028 coal retirement in 2021 but reversed course at the end of 2025, citing surging electricity demand from data centers; the move was praised by IBEW Local 459 and supported politically after Pennsylvania’s withdrawal from RGGI, while environmental groups (PennFuture, Sierra Club (PA)) criticized the decree and noted each plant emitted over 3 million tons of CO2 in 2024.

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.

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