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Louisiana task force launches DRIVE review to map power and water needs for data center growth
Summary
At its Sept. 12 meeting, the legislatively created task force framed SR195 as a statewide effort to plan for rapidly rising electricity and water needs driven by data centers, directing a new Office of Energy within the Department to pursue studies, federal grants and coordination with the PSC, MISO and national labs.
BATON ROUGE, La. — The Task Force on Energy Infrastructure and Modernization convened Sept. 12 to begin implementing S.R. 195, an order directing a statewide review of electricity needs tied to economic development, with particular emphasis on data centers and groundwater resources.
Senator Cameron Henry, one of the task force’s sponsors, said the group’s purpose is to make “a plan for power moving forward.” “The point of SR195 is Louisiana has to come up with a plan for power moving forward,” Henry said, adding that state economic development depends on reliable supply.
Secretary Dustin Davidson, speaking for the Department of Energy and Natural Resources, described an internal reorganization that creates a standalone Office of Energy (the department is due to be renamed the Department of Conservation and Energy) to lead studies, pursue federal grant funding and coordinate with the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC), MISO and national laboratories. “We have changed our office of energy, which was previously a part of the office of the secretary, to be its own standalone office within the department,” Davidson said.
Why it matters: Louisiana economic development officials and industry speakers told the task force power and water availability are the most frequent obstacles in recruitment. “We have over 200 projects in the pipeline right now, and power is the chief concern of each one of those,” said a representative from Louisiana Economic Development (LED). The department and task force members repeatedly emphasized both electricity and freshwater as necessary inputs for large data centers.
Groundwater and data-center water use were focal points for several members. Senator Henskins asked how recent legislation (S.B. 244) affects the department’s authority to assess groundwater when new facilities propose heavy water use. Secretary Davidson said the department’s role, as implemented under that law and the DRIVE initiative, is primarily data collection and technical support for local groundwater districts: the aim is better mapping, fault-zone study and saltwater-intrusion analysis to protect community drinking supplies while informing industrial siting. “We have focused on protecting groundwater for communities. That is number one,” Davidson said, and added the department will help local districts seek federal funding and technical assessments.
Task force members and stakeholders also described how the Office of Energy will partner with LED, the LPSC and MISO to understand transmission backlogs and whether statewide grid upgrades or localized generation are needed. Davidson said the department will work with universities and national labs to produce studies that feed into an energy and economic development strategic plan.
Meeting directions: Chair Beth Mizell — elected at the start of the session — asked staff to circulate a meeting summary and schedule follow-up meetings and a survey of member availability. “If staff could kind of send a summary of what was discussed today, I’d love to get feedback from you all on further thoughts,” Mizell said.
What was not decided: The task force did not adopt any policy or requirement at the Sept. 12 meeting. Members discussed options (more regulation, less regulation, expanded generation types including nuclear), and they agreed to continue fact-finding and produce further analyses.
Ending: Task force staff will compile the day’s discussions and circulate materials and scheduling options; the group adjourned after electing Mizell as chair and asking for additional input prior to the next meeting.
