Judge Blocks Entergy Request to Restrict Publication of Google Data Center Financial Records

A federal judge has blocked Entergy Arkansas' attempt to restrict publication of financial records tied to Google's West Memphis data center and the Arkansas Cypress Solar and Battery project in Jefferson County.

The ruling, handed down by U.S. District Judge Lee Rudofsky on Wednesday, denies Entergy's request for a temporary restraining order that would have restricted publications from reporting information obtained from records mistakenly released by the Arkansas Public Service Commission.

The records disclosed previously confidential financial details, including approximately $526 million in upfront payments associated with the project and roughly $190 million in transmission-related costs. Entergy disputed interpretations suggesting the $526 million figure represents the full amount Google will pay toward infrastructure and electric service connected to the data center.

In a statement issued after the ruling, Entergy said Google's obligations also include ongoing payments over the life of a 20-year agreement, totaling approximately $443 million in upfront payments and at least $83 million annually, which the utility calculates at more than $2.1 billion.