Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is building the largest artificial intelligence (AI) data center in northeast Louisiana, worth $10 billion.
This project is seen as a big opportunity to boost the local economy, particularly in a rural area with a small population and high poverty. The new center will create 500 permanent jobs and 5,000 temporary construction jobs. The facility, which will cover 4 million square feet, is expected to be completed by 2030.
Governor Jeff Landry called this a game-changer for Louisiana’s growing tech industry. However, some environmental groups are concerned about the center’s energy needs.
The data center will rely on fossil fuels, specifically natural gas, to power it, which might increase energy costs for local residents in the future. Entergy, the utility company, is planning to build three natural gas power plants to supply the center with electricity. Meta has promised to eventually bring renewable energy into the state’s grid to offset some of these concerns.
Meta is also investing $200 million into improving local roads and water systems to help the area adjust to the new facility. This project is particularly important for Richland Parish, where the population has been struggling with low employment and poverty. Some local officials, including Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell, strongly support the data center, believing it will bring needed investment to the region.
At the same time, Elon Musk’s AI company, xAI, is expanding its operations in Memphis, Tennessee, where it plans to build more supercomputers. Environmental groups are also worried about the pollution caused by these operations. xAI’s South Memphis facility, which is near a predominantly Black community, relies on gas turbines that contribute to smog and other environmental concerns.
These groups are calling for more transparency and for the community to be involved in decisions about the project’s impact on their health and environment.
In short, while these AI projects bring job opportunities and investment to struggling areas, they also raise concerns about environmental impact and energy costs.