A Trump administration official will help decide later this year whether Louisiana’s largest utility can build seven new natural gas plants to serve Meta’s $50 billion Hyperion data center.
Eric Skrmetta is the chair of the Louisiana Public Service Commission — and, as of a few months ago, the principal deputy under secretary at the Department of Energy, according to the Louisiana Illuminator. He told the publication that he plans to keep both positions until the end of his PSC term in December.
The unusual dual role is prompting pushback from the Alliance for Affordable Energy, a Louisiana consumer and environmental advocacy group that is challenging the natural gas buildout.
“His two roles in many ways may be in conflict with one another,” said Executive Director Logan Burke.
