The Richland Parish data center project, first announced in 2024, is one of the largest private capital investments in Louisiana’s history.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission approved plans on Wednesday by the state utility company Entergy to build three new gas power plants that will power a Meta data center. The approval drew criticism from consumer protection groups and environmental advocates.

Meta’s data center will need about three times the amount of electricity that New Orleans uses in a year and increase Entergy's electric needs in the state by around 30%. Both advocacy and industrial groups disputed the plan.