A two-day hearing hosted by Mississippi’s Legislative AI Task Force focused on the environmental, social, and economic impacts of data centers in the state. The hearings aimed to gather information to inform potential legislation for the 2027 session.
During the first day, community members raised concerns about noise pollution from diesel generators, air particulate emissions, and water usage. Shannon Samsa, director of the Safe and Sound Coalition, cited complaints from residents near the xAI data center in North Mississippi, where 59 diesel generators operate, with plans for 49 more. Samsa said the generators produce a humming noise that disrupts sleep and releases particulate matter linked to health issues. She also criticized the lack of public input in the project’s approval process, noting the project was not mentioned publicly until after approval.
Samsa questioned the increased water use, estimated at 77 million gallons over 12 days, despite promises of recycling water for cooling. She expressed concern that such projects influence property values negatively and have caused her to reconsider residing in Mississippi. Jim Walsh of Food and Water Watch highlighted potential infrastructure costs for local communities and warned that increased water and power demands could hamper future economic development.
On the second day, representatives from government agencies and data companies defended the industry. Chris Wells of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality said the agency regulates air pollution, water use, and habitat protections but has no authority over noise levels. He warned about future issues related to electronic waste and facility decommissioning.
Energy and infrastructure officials, including Jeremy Vanderloo of Entergy, stated that data centers help expand the state’s power grid and could lower electricity rates. Vanderloo estimates that, by 2030, rates could be 30% lower due to the presence of data centers. Some facilities, like those operated by Amazon Web Services, will use grey water or closed-loop cooling systems to reduce water consumption, with local officials emphasizing the importance of maintaining local control over regulation.
Mayors Will Purdie of Clinton and Gene McGee of Ridgeland underscored their cities’ efforts to regulate data center development, including requiring industrial zoning and grid connections. Mississippi Power’s Stephen Schruff said infrastructure upgrades for a new Meta facility will improve regional reliability and cover the costs of necessary upgrades.
Amazon’s investment in Mississippi has created approximately 7,000 jobs, with ongoing training programs. The company reported paying for grid upgrades at no cost to ratepayers. Representatives from the Data Center Coalition and Compass Datacenters highlighted the industry’s role in supporting digital services, economic growth, and job creation. The task force will consider these testimonies in recommending future legislation.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
