Meta Hides Data Center Info As it Pushes More Risks to Entergy’s Customers

If you're an Entergy Louisiana customer, a fight over who pays for Meta's massive AI data center expansion in Richland Parish is coming to a head. Entergy wants to build seven new gas-fired power plants (plus battery storage and transmission lines), totaling more than $15 billion in new infrastructure, to power Meta's growing computing needs. Meta hasn't agreed to cover all these costs, and testimony filed by consumer advocates argues that Entergy's claim the project will "benefit" regular ratepayers relies on overly optimistic assumptions. If Meta's actual electricity use comes in lower than projected, or costs run higher, customers could end up subsidizing billions of dollars in construction and fuel costs meant for Meta's data center. Three of the seven plants wouldn't even be paid off for 32 years, and if Meta walks away from its 20-year contract early, ratepayers could still be stuck covering the remainder.

Meta itself isn't formally part of the regulatory case, so it hasn't had to answer questions under oath about how much electricity it actually needs or what jobs and investment it's promising. A subpoena seeking that information has so far been upheld by a judge, but Meta is appealing, and Louisiana's five elected utility regulators will vote on whether to force Meta to answer on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 9 a.m. in Baton Rouge.

If you live in Louisiana outside New Orleans, your electric bill could eventually reflect however this case is decided. Residents can contact their state utility commissioner or attend Wednesday's public meeting to comment.