Yesterday (Monday) the Caddo Commission Special Projects Committee had a noon meeting in the conference room behind the Government Plaza chambers.
One agenda item dealt with a proposed upgrade of the Commission’s noise ordinance and the other was the proposed man camp ordinance. Both proposals were directed toward data center construction in Caddo Parish.
The committee took no action on either of these proposed ordinances. One citizen spoke against both ordinances, and the unanimous decision to take no action virtually killed the proposals.
The Natural Resources Committee met at approximately 1:45 pm in the Council chambers to accommodate the large crowd of citizens in attendance.
One agenda item was a resolution urging data center operators to adopt rainwater harvesting and the other was a resolution for data center operators to produce an environmental impact study on the impact of Dawson Road residents of the proposed southwest Shreveport data center.
There were many anti-data center speakers who addressed this committee and there was substantial debate by the committee members before a vote that basically killed both proposals. Committee members made many conflicting statements, several of which were quite vitriolic.
The Commission then met for its regular administrative/work session comments. Several commissioners made impassioned comments, both pro data centers and anti-date centers.
One commissioner virtually attacked another in derogatory comments, and the meeting was truly “ugly”. The work session agenda did NOT contain any data center related ordinances or resolution.
No doubt many anti-data center speakers will attend the upcoming Truth About Data Centers Townhall this Thursday at the Greenwood Acres Full Baptist Church at 7480 Greenwood Road that features economic advisor Dr. Nathaniel Manning, Alliance for Affordable Energy community organizer KD Manning, No Data Centers 318 representative Abby Whittington, municipal water consultant Donald Hobdy Sr, and community organizer/District G candidate Derrick Henderson.
Without additional action by the Bossier Parish Police Jury, the Caddo Commission and/or the Shreveport City Council, little can be accomplished to stop the proposed data centers or institute more regulation of them.
Work has commenced on the sites for the north Caddo and north Bossier data centers. The proposed Shreveport data center is currently stalled pending a judicial ruling on the legality of the Shreveport Council’s approval of the Shreveport data center by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.
Nonetheless the town hall is expected to have many data center opponents to hear from the assembled panel which many believe are biased against data centers.
Yesterday’s three Commission meetings did nothing to quell the pent up opposition that bordered on rage that will no doubt become campaign issues next year when commissioners must run for reelection.
John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.
He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.
John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.
John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.
He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.