Mississippi AI Task Force Considers Data Center Regulations and Local Control
The Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Regulation Task Force spent two days listening to 19 speakers on the potential effects of data centers in the state. The hearing focused on issues such as power bills, water usage, and job creation, with the goal of informing legislative recommendations next year, according to co-chair Rep. Jill Ford.
The task force was established during the 2025 legislative session to study AI usage and regulation. Members include representatives from the attorney general’s office, the Department of Information Technology Services, the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network and industry stakeholders, Ford said.
Representatives from utility companies, including Entergy Mississippi and Amazon Web Services, challenged claims that data centers would increase utility rates or deplete water resources. Jeremy Vanderloo, Entergy’s vice president of business operations and strategy, said that customer rates are actually lower with AWS as a customer, and contracts include provisions to protect existing customers from additional costs.
Many speakers emphasized the importance of local control over data center development. Clinton Mayor Will Purdie and Bill Cork of the Mississippi Development Authority highlighted that local governments are best suited to address issues like noise and community impact. Vanderloo noted that local regulation can be effective when communities are empowered to manage these concerns.
Regulation of behind-the-meter power generation emerged as an area for future legislation. Vanderloo and Cork discussed the need to address legal gaps when companies generate their own energy and do not connect to the public utility system, which could impact rates and grid stability.
The only resident to testify was Shannon Samsa, who lives near SpaceXAI’s data center in Southaven. She expressed concerns about noise, air pollution, and transparency related to the facility’s turbines, which are currently subject to ongoing lawsuits. Samsa emphasized the need for transparency and accountability to protect community health and well-being, regardless of opinions on AI or data centers.
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