MONROE, La. (KNOE) – Entergy is currently working on a gas powered plant in Rayville which will be a key source of power for the Meta Data Center.

Community members had a chance to state their case for and against the permits.

Rob Cleveland of Grow NELA says it will only add to the Economic development that Meta is already bringing to the area.

“This project represents future growth and significant growth in just the last year that it’s been announced,” Cleveland said. “So I’m here to support that and remind LDEQ of the positive impact that this project has already made in Richland Parish and throughout the entire region.”

Dr. Angelle Bradford represented the Delta Chapter of the Sierra Club and expressed multiple concerns on the plant’s environmental impacts.

“About 5 million tons increase in emissions from carbon dioxide. Also, there’s sulfur dioxide, there’s NOx, so like smog. We know air pollution is connected to, you know, cancer risk,” Bradford said. “It’s connected to cardiovascular disease, respiratory illness, and endocrine. There’s just so many different health outcomes that impact people. Let alone animals and the ecosystem.”

Cleveland says that the State needs more economic development and to take advantage of natural resources.

“What I think is most important for people to remember is Louisiana has the greatest amount of natural gas resources in the entire country,” Cleveland said. “It is time for our residents to reap the benefits of our natural resources.”

Dr. Bradford would rather encourage alternative sources for the power plant.

“You can build clean,” Bradford said. “Data centers have built clean in other places. They can build solar with battery backup and they can build renewable. so that’s why we’re saying you can reject these permits and you can build clean instead of with these natural gas plants.”

A final decision will be made on a later date and all participants at the meeting will be notified.

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