News & Updates

SREA Statement on Settlement in Louisiana Public Service Commission Docket Regarding New Meta Data Center

August 21, 2025

BATON ROUGE, La. (August 21, 2025) - The Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) yesterday approved by a 4-1 vote the Notice of Settlement - filed on July 23 - in LPSC Docket No. U-37425 regarding Entergy Louisiana’s Application for approval of generation and transmission resources in connection with service to a single customer, Meta, for a project in North Louisiana.

The Southern Renewable Energy Association (SREA) joined the Expanded Settlement Agreement on July 11, along with Walmart and Sierra Club. Entergy Louisiana’s (ELL) filing on July 23 officially made the agreement public.

SREA applauds Entergy Louisiana and the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) staff for working with stakeholders in good faith to develop processes designed to facilitate more procurement of renewable energy to meet the rising energy needs of customers with commitments to clean energy, SREA Regulatory Director Whit Cox said.

“By expanding Entergy Louisiana’s procurement process to include wind energy, the expanded settlement agreement will have a positive impact, allowing more of SREA's members to develop successful projects that contribute to the diversity of ELL's resource portfolio,” Cox said.

The Expanded Settlement Agreement incorporates numerous recommendations that SREA advanced and supported in the proceeding, including the following wins regarding for the competitive procurement of renewable energy:

  • Expedited procurement and certification of 1,500 MW of solar/and hybrid resources as in initial renewable subscription amount to help meet Meta’s clean energy commitments.
  • Commitments to update the renewable request for proposals (RFP) process to include wind.
  • Entergy Louisiana and the LPSC will host a technical conference to identify stakeholder suggestions regarding the RFP.
  • Entergy agrees to use commercially reasonable best efforts to procure and file a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for an additional 500 MW of Solar.
  • Entergy Louisiana will perform an analysis of the costs, benefits, and potential role of Grid Enhancing Technologies (GETs).

Cox noted that both Entergy Louisiana and the LPSC’s commitment to hosting a technical conference for RFP stakeholders also demonstrates a willingness to proactively work with developers of clean and renewable energy to improve the procurement process moving forward.

Meta is constructing a $10 billion data center in Richland Parish in Northeast Louisiana. This facility is planned to be Meta's largest, spanning an area equivalent to 70 football fields. The facility will require a significant amount of energy, raising concerns about infrastructure investments and potential rate increases for consumers.

In the press release announcing the project, Meta pledged to match its electricity usage with 100% renewable energy and said the company would work with Entergy Louisiana to bring at least 1,500MW of new renewable energy to the grid through its Geaux Zero program. Additionally, Meta committed to contribute up to $1 million per year to Entergy’s “The Power to Care” low-income ratepayer support program. Entergy Louisiana will match Meta’s contributions to the program.

SREA advocates for policies that support renewable energy development in seven states across the Southeast, including Louisiana. Louisiana’s current energy mix is heavily reliant on natural gas. SREA has intervened in Louisiana PSC dockets previously to push for greater prioritization of renewable energy sources like solar and wind.

 

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For more than a decade, the Southern Renewable Energy Association (SREA) has been committed to promoting the responsible use and development of wind energy, solar energy, and transmission solutions across seven Southeastern states. Our mission is centered on fostering sustainable practices and driving innovative advancements in renewable energy. As an industry-driven initiative, SREA serves Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana,Mississippi, and Tennessee. Discover more at southernrenewable.org.

Entergy Louisiana
Louisiana Public Service Commission
Meta

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