Ascension Parish, like localities across the nation, is ill-prepared to regulate the Artificial Intelligence industry and the enormous data centers necessary to support it. Staff members and the Planning Commission have “been working on an ordinance for some time (because) we’re a little nervous that someone might try to apply before we get this ordinance in place,” explained Council Chairman Chase Melancon during last night’s council meeting in Donaldsonville. If some entity “were to apply for a data center in the parish right now, we have nothing as far as setbacks, noise…anything to hold them to.”
The agenda item:
Resolution – in support of the swift creation and recommendation by the Planning and Zoning Commission of an ordinance guiding the placement and development of high impact development facilities (Data Centers) in Ascension Parish, Louisiana Councilman Blaine Petite, Councilman Oliver Joseph, Councilwoman Jenn DeFrances
Councilman Blaine Petite itemized two primary legislative goals:
- Adopt an ordinance to require any complex be self-sufficient in its power consumption; and
- Prohibit the use of ground water for cooling
Councilman Joel Robert proposed the possibility of a moratorium on data centers until “we get our ducks in a row.”
Scheduled for August 12, Ascension’s Planning Commission will consider a 12-page draft ordinance intended to address the concerns about “High Impact Development Facility”, i.e. data centers.
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