LIVINGSTON -- The Livingston Parish Council is considering its first true regulations for modern power plants. An ordinance was introduced by the council as an amendment to the parish's Unified Land Development Code. It would bring regulations, including restricting electric generating facilities to heavy industrial districts and requiring special permits.

Council members say it is necessary to keep up with new technology. However, some residents were concerned about the timing of the ordinance, as it comes amid speculation in the parish about the possibility of a data center.

"And that's what we want to know as residents here: would you be for or against a data center being built here?" A Livingston parish resident asked the council.

However, District 5 Councilwoman Erin Sandefur says the timing is just a coincidence.

"It's a coincidence. If you follow the timeline, I have stayed with this for two and a half years, and to squash the rumors, we don't have anything that I know of," Sandefur said.

Earlier this month, parish president Randy Delatte had to address these rumors, saying there are currently no plans for a data center. The council echoed that Thursday night as well.

"I know data centers are a hot commodity right now, going all over the United States, and trust me when I say, if I found out that there is one coming to Livingston Parish, everyone will know at that point," Councilman Ryan Chavers said during the meeting.

The ordinance regulating industrial power plants is something that Sandefur says she's been working on for two and a half years.

"In Livingston Parish, we do not have anything regulating industrial power plants, and so, I think it's smart," Sandefur said. "Here we are up against the moratorium expiring at the end of October, and so much more has come to the forefront, so I combined power plants, electric generating facilities in one lump.

The ordinance outlines the regulations for power plants and electric generating plants. They must have a special use permit, would be restricted to heavy industrial zoning districts, and could not produce noise exceeding 60 decibels.

"The public would have a say on a vote if anything was built next to their property?" Denham Springs Resident Ricky Liner asked.

"Yes, sir, that is part of the process of it," Sandefur responded.

In addition, there would be a permit fee of $100 per acre with a minimum fee of $10,000. Projects would need at least 10 contiguous acres, and structures would have to be at least 500 feet away from residences.

WBRZ asked if there were currently any organizations that are in contact with the parish about a potential power plant.

"No. I've had some interest, so when I moved to put the solar panel farm commercial moratorium in place, we were getting calls from the people in that industry. They have reached out over the past couple of years asking where you are on this, but outside of that, no," Sandefur said.

A public hearing and a possible adoption of the ordinance could come at the next meeting on September 24. Sandefur says this ordinance is also expected to be added on to if passed.