Data centers in Alabama

Doug Jones called for stronger regulations on data centers, including limits on tax incentives and requirements to address their power and water use.

Doug Jones, seeking to become Alabama's first Democratic governor since 2003, called for data center regulation at a Huntsville rally on October 11, 2026.

Daniel Tait, executive director of Energy Alabama, said that a contract of this magnitude should never take effect without an explicit, public vote by elected regulators

Dr. Charles Steele Jr., former president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, expressed opposition to the data center tax incentive, saying the proximity to a 1965 Selma march campsite makes it problematic

Katie Britt stated that ratepayers in Alabama should not subsidize data centers.

Sam Givhan said lawmakers should reconsider tax incentives offered to data centers and expect additional data center legislation in 2027

Jennie Robinson, Huntsville City Council President, said the one hyperscale data center in Huntsville is plenty and future proposals should be evaluated under formal city policy

Bill Kling, District 4 City Council Member, stated he is opposed to any additional data centers coming into Huntsville and the city should not give them inducements

Mayor Dale Phillips said the city intends to move carefully and wants to vet every aspect before approving any data center proposal, and that there is nothing currently in the works.

City Administrator Tera Tubbs stated no developer has reached out about building a data center in Northport.

Tuberville cosponsored the Senate version of the Ratepayer Protection Act, which would require states to consider standards making data centers drawing 100 MW or more pay the full cost of power plants, transmission lines and grid upgrades built to serve them

Tuberville pledged a four year rate freeze if elected governor

Tommy Tuberville opposes one year moratorium on new data centers proposed by opponent Doug Jones

Sen. Tommy Tuberville co sponsored the Ratepayer Protection Act requiring states to establish standards for utility commission decisions when connecting large electricity users of 100 megawatts or more to the grid.

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville said data centers can be built in Alabama without raising power bills for residents

Humans First held news conference in Bessemer on September 13, 2026 opposing data center construction

Tuberville wants data centers to pay full price for water and electric infrastructure and replace power and water capacity they take

Column notes Tuberville plan lacks key requirement to make community objections meaningful: enforcement mechanism

Terri Michal, a vocal opponent of data centers, was previously removed from a Birmingham City Council meeting over public comment rules during disputes about data center projects

Joseph Baker, co organizer of the event, said AI and data center rollout is causing negative effects at facilities and surrounding areas

Tuberville proposes placing data centers in Alabama's highest property tax bracket

Representatives of the AI Data Center Revolt Tour visited Alabama to highlight the impact of data centers on rural communities

Kathy Latham, Texas state director of Humans First, said rural America is under attack by big tech wanting land

Vice President JD Vance states data centers are important to AI economy but should build dedicated power sources and put power back into grid

Darrell M. West, Brookings senior fellow, says political backlash to data centers has emerged rapidly compared to other technologies

Patmos founder John Johnson told neighbors at a community meeting that generators will have mufflers and the loudest equipment will stay inside, with the site quieter than the old Walmart.

Doug Jones, candidate for Alabama governor, says data centers have moved to top of voters' concerns in 2026 midterm elections

Fairfield Mayor Herman Carnes Jr. visited a Patmos data center campus in Kansas City and described it as a multi story tech campus with a data center on at least one floor, stating it was quieter than many imagine.

Bill Gates warns AI and data centers could become the worst source of injustice without solutions addressing community concerns about energy and water

Doug Jones accused Tuberville of ethical malpractice for accepting campaign funds from large tech companies currently building data centers in west Alabama.

Applied Digital Corporation donated $25,000 to Tommy Tuberville's gubernatorial campaign in August 2026.

Applied Digital Corporation also donated $100,000 to Republican Forward, a conservative Alabama super PAC.

Tommy Tuberville outspoken in support for data centers and characterizes anti data center rhetoric as propaganda from Democrats and China

Mayor Tracie Threadford said the decision was made out of caution as the city prepares for potential future development

No potential data center developers have approached the city at this time

Tommy Tuberville proposes letting communities decide whether they want a data center

No signed project agreement yet according to Brookwood officials

Brookwood Mayor Joe Barger said city leaders become involved once a developer seeks approvals

DC Blox now sees requests for 864 count fiber as routine and in some cases 1,728 count cable.

Adam Kramer, Global Head of Data Centers at Panattoni Development Company, stated developers identify power access before purchasing land

Mayor Joe Barger confirmed proposed development is an AI data center

Permitting remains a significant bottleneck, with approval processes for fiber routes often taking a year or more.

Morgan County Commission Chairman Ray Long states a recently enacted data center moratorium was hollow because the county had no authority to enforce it.

State Sen. Sam Givhan cites overwhelming opposition to data centers in the Tennessee Valley region and says the area does not need them from an energy standpoint.

Chelsea City Council President Scott Weygand said Chelsea needs to develop zoning standards for data centers

DC Blox CTO Jeff Wabik says fiber construction has become part of the core construction component of data center projects rather than an afterthought.

Residents concerned about potential data center development on farmland in rural community near Curry Station Road

State Senator Sam Givhan said the majority of people in his district do not want data centers in the Tennessee Valley

Democrats and gubernatorial nominee Doug Jones call for yearlong moratorium on data center facilities

State Senator Sam Givhan plans to bring legislation eliminating tax incentives for data centers

State Senator Sam Givhan said there is 'overwhelming opposition' to data center construction in the Tennessee Valley

Nebius had a sound study conducted and built the facility to the worst condition scenario so noise should not exceed background noise

Nebius spokesperson Leah Davis said the company followed every normal and legal procedure of any other economic development project that happens in the city of Birmingham

Tommy Tuberville outlines new data center approach as opposition to facilities mounts

Partnered with Montgomery Public School System on robotics program

Mayor Theangelo Perkins said no company has approached Harpersville about building a data center

Meta provided community grants and sponsorships supporting multiple projects

Meta pays full costs of energy, water, and wastewater the data center uses

Alabama attorney general stated the state will continue advocating for consumers amid AI data center buildout

Tommy Tuberville, U.S. Senator and Republican gubernatorial nominee, supports data center development

Applied Digital Corporation contributed $25,000 to Tuberville campaign

Indivisible West Alabama hosting public forum on data centers and surveillance August 27 at Grace Presbyterian Church

Concerns about proposed data centers include pollution of air, noise and water, excess power consumption leading to rising energy costs

Forum will address Flock Safety cameras and concerns about mass surveillance

Joshua Craig from Hazel Green expressed concern about data center expansion reducing farmland

Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones said voters concerned about data center projects should vote for him because his opponent would allow them without scrutiny.

Residents questioned Huntsville leaders about Meta expansion raising concerns about water use, power, jobs, environmental impacts and transparency

Council member Michael Shirley requested that if the developer does not honor a 45 day wait period, the council should call a special meeting to consider a moratorium.

Jones said every data center project ought to have a publicly available economic impact study before communities decide whether to approve it

U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell opposes Project Red Clay and published opinion piece against the data center.

Doug Jones called for a one year moratorium on data center construction in Alabama

Doug Jones called for more data center transparency and accountability

The fund directs money toward teachers, first responders, energy and water infrastructure and community needs in areas where Meta owns and operates data centers

Meta launched a $1 billion fund to support data center communities including Montgomery

Gov. Kay Ivey signed President Donald Trump's Ratepayer Protection Pledge to keep electricity costs tied to data centers from being passed on to households

Sen. Tommy Tuberville says data centers could bring significant economic benefits, particularly to rural communities

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Doug Jones called for a temporary pause on additional data center development

Sen. Katie Britt said data centers are 'critical' to maintaining America's technological leadership

Silicon Ranch will build the facility and sell electricity to Alabama Power

Silicon Ranch spokesperson says cadmium telluride panels can be stowed during storms

"Alabama is already requiring demonstrations to verify proposed demand, long term contracts, minimum building requirements, upfront reimbursement of direct costs, and even termination fees."

"If additional resources are necessary, the Commission requires the data center to cover the costs of those resources."

"No project should ever compromise reliability for existing customers."

"No free rides for big tech. The entities driving up the costs must be the entities covering the costs."

Once operational, the Montgomery Data Center will be optimized for AI workloads

Montgomery Data Center energy use will be matched with 100 percent clean and renewable energy

Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed said investment means good jobs and stronger schools

Meta's broader goal is to reach net zero emissions across its supply chain by 2030.

Meta data center will be the 20th of its kind in the United States

Meta requires shovel ready sites with infrastructure and deep talent pools for data centers

Meta seeks 100 percent renewable energy access for site selection

Meta data center project requires a tremendous amount of power