Facebook: Don’t Build New Fossil Fuel Powered Data Center

Facebook’s parent company, Meta, is planning to build a massive new data center in Louisiana. But instead of powering it with clean, renewable energy, the company is relying on the construction of three brand-new natural gas plants to meet its energy needs. This move is dangerous for our climate and it is a betrayal of Meta’s own stated goals.

Meta announced in 2021 that all of its global operations are “supported by 100 percent renewable energy” and that it achieved its net zero emissions goal ahead of schedule. Despite that promise, the company is now backing new fossil fuel infrastructure that will lock in decades of carbon pollution. 

Meta’s plan is so egregious that it’s drawn the attention of the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, which recently launched an inquiry into how Meta’s project would fit with the company’s stated climate goals. 

In a statement, Senator and Ranking Member Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) demanded answers from Meta, saying that their plan “flies in the face of Meta’s climate commitments and its claims that it has achieved net zero emissions in its global operations.”

The Senate committee’s concerns are well-founded. New gas plants aren’t just a short-term setback, they’re long-term investments in fossil fuel dependency. Louisiana is already on the frontlines of climate disaster, facing rising seas and intensifying storms. Building dirty energy infrastructure in this region to power Meta’s data centers is as reckless as it is unjust.

Meta has the resources to lead with climate solutions instead of being part of the problem. As one of the world’s most powerful technology companies, it should lead by example–not greenwash its brand while quietly fueling the climate crisis.

The climate can’t afford more empty promises. Meta must live up to its word, or face the consequences from the public, policymakers, and the planet.

Sign the petition to tell Meta to immediately halt plans to power its new Louisiana data center with natural gas, and commit to using 100% clean, renewable energy instead.

Photo credit Flickr user Anthony Quintano used under CC2.0