Consumer, science, and environmental advocates are pushing for transparency from Meta and Entergy Louisiana as the tech giant expands its Hyperion data center in Northeast Louisiana. The data center, which will be one of the largest in the state, will require 7.5 gigawatts of electricity to operate, enough to power up to 7.5 million households.

Concerns Over Secrecy

The Alliance for Affordable Energy and the Union of Concerned Scientists held a joint news conference to address the lack of public information about the project. They claim that state and local leaders have signed nondisclosure agreements with Meta, limiting what they can say about the project.

Logan Burke, executive director of the Alliance for Affordable Energy, said that the secrecy surrounding the project is a concern. “Louisiana officials and industry have used secrecy and deals made behind closed doors to move projects forward before communities are even aware or have a chance to object,” she said.

Questions Over Job Creation

Advocates are also questioning the claim that the project will create jobs. Susan Stevens Miller, a senior attorney at Earthjustice, said that Meta has not provided information on the number of permanent jobs that will be created or whether they will be in Louisiana or remote.

The Alliance for Affordable Energy and the Union of Concerned Scientists have submitted written testimony to the Louisiana Public Service Commission, criticizing Entergy’s plans to build seven additional natural gas-powered turbines to power the data center.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.