TEXAS
Google’s Alphabet Expands Data Center Operations
Google plans to spend approximately $880 million to expand its data center campus in Midlothian. The expansion, referred to as Sharka Data Center Building 5, will include a new one-story data center and is expected to be completed by February 2027. This investment is part of Google’s larger $40 billion investment in Texas through 2027.
Plans for Blue Hydrogen Plant Cancelled
Exxon Mobil has canceled plans for a large blue hydrogen plant in Baytown following the Trump administration’s withdrawal of funding and the company’s challenges in securing buyers. The company had secured $332 million in funding in 2022 from the Biden administration’s DOE for the project.
State Flood Insurance Fund to Undergo Review
Texas’s $1.4 billion Flood Infrastructure Fund, intended to assist communities in mitigating flooding risks, has experienced limited utilization. Numerous local governments, particularly those with smaller and rural populations, declined the state’s grants and loans, citing insufficient funding that only partially covered project expenses. Legislators have acknowledged the program’s shortcomings and intend to conduct a comprehensive review during the upcoming legislative session.
FERC Approves Gas Plants Acquisition
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has approved Houston-based NRG Energy’s acquisition of 18 gas-fired power plants and a demand response company from LS Power Equity Advisors for a total of $12 billion. The plants are located in Texas, the Midwest, and the Northeast. This acquisition will add 13,000 megawatts of natural gas generation capacity, which is expected to meet the increasing energy demand driven by data centers.
Plans Advance for Construction of Four Large Nuclear Reactors in Texas Panhandle
Fermi America has announced agreements with Doosan Enerbility and Hyundai Engineering & Construction to advance plans for the construction of four large nuclear reactors in the Panhandle near Amarillo. These agreements are intended to address supply chain challenges and support Fermi’s ambitious plan to build a large data center and energy complex.
Galveston Bay Protection Plans Proceed with Award of Design Contracts
The Gulf Coast Protection District has awarded contracts to design gates and dunes for the “Ike Dike” project, which aims to safeguard the Galveston Bay region from storm surges. Although the project has received some funding, it remains billions of dollars short and faces environmental concerns. Critics propose that smaller-scale protections could be implemented more swiftly and effectively.
LOUISIANA
Gulf of America Oil and Gas Lease Sale Held
The first oil and gas lease sale in the Gulf of America since 2023 was held in New Orleans, marking a milestone in the Trump administration’s efforts to increase energy production. Twenty-six companies submitted 219 bids for 1.02 million acres, representing 1.3 percent of the total area offered. The auction is the first of 30 mandated over the next 15 years by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The Gulf’s last lease sale in December 2023 drew interest from 26 companies, who submitted 311 bids spread across 1.7 million acres.
Entergy Begins Construction of Power Plants to Service Meta Data Center
Entergy is constructing two gas-fired electricity plants and other infrastructure to power Meta’s AI data center in Louisiana, with a total cost exceeding $5 billion. While Entergy asserts that the project will benefit customers through Meta’s contributions and enhanced grid reliability, environmental groups and other industries express concerns about potential increased costs and environmental impacts. Meta’s data center will require approximately three times the annual electricity consumption of New Orleans and will contribute to a 30 percent increase in Entergy’s electric demands within the state. Meta’s data center in Richland Parish is situated in one of the state’s most economically disadvantaged regions. Proponents of the facility emphasize the potential for economic growth, including the creation of 5,000 construction jobs and 500 operational jobs once the data center is operational.
Carbon Capture Plant Requests Permit Changes
Air Products, the company behind a carbon capture project in Louisiana, has requested a permit change that could allow the plant to become one of the state’s largest industrial emitters of greenhouse gases. The company claims the change is necessary for operational flexibility, but environmental groups are concerned it indicates a lack of commitment to carbon capture. The project, which has faced significant community opposition, involves injecting CO2 and other greenhouse gases from a hydrogen and ammonia plant under Lake Maurepas.
New Partnership Aims to Develop Innovative Carbon Capture Technologies
Newlab New Orleans and JERA Ventures, a Japanese power company, are partnering to develop carbon capture technologies for energy-intensive industries in Louisiana and along the Gulf Coast. The partnership will provide startups with laboratory space and advanced machinery to develop products focused on energy efficiency, carbon management, and port infrastructure. New York-based Newlab anticipates the commencement of its fifth innovation hub at the former Naval Support Activity Center, situated within a repurposed building at the confluence of the Intercoastal Industrial Canal and the Mississippi River in New Orleans. Newlab previously established innovation hubs in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2025 and Detroit, Michigan, in 2023. The member companies of Newlab have collectively secured over $5.8 billion in funding from venture capital firms.
Merger Seeks to Advance Liquid Natural Gas Project
Australian company Woodside Energy partnered with U.S.-based pipeline operator Williams Companies to advance the $17.5 billion Louisiana LNG project, with Williams investing $378 million for a 10 percent stake in Louisiana LNG LLC and an 80 percent stake in Driftwood Pipeline LLC. The LNG facility, located near Lake Charles, expected to be operational in 2029, will have a capacity of 27.6 metric tons per annum and is targeting European buyers.
Expansion of Franklin Shipyard Sees $300 Million Investment
Saronic Technologies will allocate $300 million to expand its Franklin, Louisiana, shipyard, resulting in the creation of more than 3,200 jobs and a significant boost to the maritime manufacturing sector. The expansion, anticipated to be completed by 2026, will enhance production capacity for autonomous surface vessels, a burgeoning market for both defense and commercial applications. The project encompasses the construction of new shipyard space, an expanded warehouse and an assembly line specifically designed for the assembly of large vessels.
MISSISSIPPI
CF Industries Plant Explosion Prompts Evacuations
On Nov. 5, a major ammonia leak occurred at the CF Industries plant located north of Yazoo City. The incident was triggered by an explosion that necessitated evacuations and shelter-in-place orders for nearby residents. Although no fatalities or injuries were reported, the event resulted in a substantial release of anhydrous ammonia vapor, necessitating immediate response from emergency services, air monitoring, and road closures. The leak was ultimately contained, and residents were permitted to return to their homes.
Suit is Filed by City Officials Against State’s Public Service Commission
Holly Springs officials have initiated a lawsuit in federal court against the Public Service Commission (PSC). The lawsuit alleges that the PSC has exceeded its authority and infringed upon the city’s right to due process. The complaint was filed less than two months after the PSC voted to impose daily fines of up to $12,500 on the city for failing to address deficiencies in the city’s power system. The Holly Springs Utility Department, which serves approximately 12,000 customers across multiple counties, has been grappling with challenges in maintaining its power grid infrastructure for several years. This has resulted in frequent electric outages for the city’s residents. The new complaint contends that the PSC overstepped its authority by interfering with the city’s contract with the Tennessee Valley Authority.
MSU Launches Energy Innovation Hub
Mississippi State University established the Energy Resilience and Innovation Hub to facilitate and innovate in the field of energy research. The hub will concentrate on economic growth, energy resilience, policy alignment, and access to energy resources. Recently, the university received a $1.2 million grant to support the R-STEP project: Renewable Energy Siting Through Technical Engagement and Planning. This project, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and administered by the Mississippi Development Authority, seeks to assist in the site planning and permitting of renewable energy developments within Mississippi.
ALABAMA
260 MW in Solar Capacity Approved to Service Meta
The Public Service Commission approved two substantial solar projects through an agreement with Meta, which is currently constructing a hyperscale data center spanning 1.3 million square feet outside Montgomery. These projects are designated as Stockton I Solar and Stockton II Solar, with anticipated power generation capacities of 80 megawatts and 180 megawatts, respectively. Under the agreement, Alabama Power will acquire the generated power, with completion projected by December 2028. Meta has committed to ensuring that the energy consumption of the Montgomery Data Center is entirely sourced from clean and renewable energy.
Eleven Million in Funding Available for Mine Reclamation Projects
The Department of Workforce has announced the availability of $11 million in federal funding for Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Projects. This funding will support reclamation projects that promote economic growth and community development in counties impacted by historical coal mining activities. The program specifically targets abandoned mine lands from coal mining operations conducted prior to 1977. Eligible counties include Bibb, Fayette, Jefferson, Marion, Shelby, Tuscaloosa, and Walker.
Rate Freeze Approved for Alabama Power Customers
The Public Service Commission has approved a two-year rate freeze for Alabama Power customers, postponing a planned rate increase to offset the expenses associated with a natural gas plant. Although the freeze seeks to provide stability, critics contend that it merely postpones costs and protects corporate profits. An analysis conducted by Inside Climate News revealed that Alabama Power’s residential customers incurred the highest total electric bills in the United States during the previous year. This disparity was attributed to a combination of exceptionally high electricity consumption and above-average electric rates relative to the national average.
