What was said about data centers in Alabama
93 statements from 43 speakers, grouped by who spoke. Each appears as said, with the date and the source. No verdict is attached.
From April 1, 2024 to October 1, 2026. Statements from every state are on Statements.
Data center companies 21
Developers, operators and builders of data centers and the technology companies that fill them, speaking through their staff and spokespeople. Every state.
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Applied Digital Corporation donated $25,000 to Tommy Tuberville's gubernatorial campaign in August 2026.
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Applied Digital Corporation also donated $100,000 to Republican Forward, a conservative Alabama super PAC.
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Jeff Wabik, DC Blox CTO
DC Blox now sees requests for 864 count fiber as routine and in some cases 1,728 count cable.
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Global Head of Data Centers, Panattoni Development Company
Adam Kramer, Global Head of Data Centers at Panattoni Development Company, stated developers identify power access before purchasing land
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Jeff Wabik, DC Blox CTO
Permitting remains a significant bottleneck, with approval processes for fiber routes often taking a year or more.
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DC Blox CTO Jeff Wabik says fiber construction has become part of the core construction component of data center projects rather than an afterthought.
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Leah Davis, Nebius spokesperson
Nebius had a sound study conducted and built the facility to the worst condition scenario so noise should not exceed background noise
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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
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Meta
Partnered with Montgomery Public School System on robotics program
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Meta
Energy used will be matched with 100% clean and renewable energy
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Meta provided community grants and sponsorships supporting multiple projects
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Meta pays full costs of energy, water, and wastewater the data center uses
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The fund directs money toward teachers, first responders, energy and water infrastructure and community needs in areas where Meta owns and operates data centers
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Meta launched a $1 billion fund to support data center communities including Montgomery
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Meta
Once operational, the Montgomery Data Center will be optimized for AI workloads
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Meta
Montgomery Data Center energy use will be matched with 100 percent clean and renewable energy
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Meta is advancing its goal of achieving net zero emissions across their value chain by 2030.
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Meta's broader goal is to reach net zero emissions across its supply chain by 2030.
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Brad Davis, Dir., Community and Economic Development, Meta
Meta requires shovel ready sites with infrastructure and deep talent pools for data centers
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Brad Davis, Dir., Community and Economic Development, Meta
Meta seeks 100 percent renewable energy access for site selection
Government 43
Officials in office, lawmakers, regulators, public agencies and courts, federal, state, tribal and local. Every state.
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U.S. Senator (R-AL)
Katie Britt stated that ratepayers in Alabama should not subsidize data centers.
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State Senator
Sam Givhan said lawmakers should reconsider tax incentives offered to data centers and expect additional data center legislation in 2027
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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
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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
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U.S. Senator
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
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U.S. Senator
Tuberville pledged a four year rate freeze if elected governor
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U.S. Senator
Tommy Tuberville opposes one year moratorium on new data centers proposed by opponent Doug Jones
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U.S. Senator (R-Alabama)
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.
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U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville said data centers can be built in Alabama without raising power bills for residents
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U.S. Senator
Tuberville wants data centers to pay full price for water and electric infrastructure and replace power and water capacity they take
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U.S. Senator
Tuberville proposes letting communities decide whether they want a data center and extending Alabama Power rate freeze past 2024
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U.S. Senator
Tuberville proposes placing data centers in Alabama's highest property tax bracket
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Vice President JD Vance states data centers are important to AI economy but should build dedicated power sources and put power back into grid
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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.
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Mayor of Tarrant
Mayor Tracie Threadford said the decision was made out of caution as the city prepares for potential future development
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Tracie Threadford, Mayor of Tarrant
No potential data center developers have approached the city at this time
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Joe Barger, Mayor, Brookwood
No signed project agreement yet according to Brookwood officials
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Brookwood Mayor Joe Barger said city leaders become involved once a developer seeks approvals
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Mayor, Brookwood
Mayor Joe Barger confirmed proposed development is an AI data center
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Morgan County Commission Chairman Ray Long states a recently enacted data center moratorium was hollow because the county had no authority to enforce it.
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Alabama State Senator
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.
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Chelsea City Council President Scott Weygand said Chelsea needs to develop zoning standards for data centers
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Alabama State Senator (R-Huntsville)
State Senator Sam Givhan said the majority of people in his district do not want data centers in the Tennessee Valley
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Alabama State Senator (R-Huntsville)
State Senator Sam Givhan plans to bring legislation eliminating tax incentives for data centers
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Alabama State Senator (R-Huntsville)
State Senator Sam Givhan said there is 'overwhelming opposition' to data center construction in the Tennessee Valley
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U.S. Senator
Tommy Tuberville outlines new data center approach as opposition to facilities mounts
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Harpersville Mayor
Mayor Theangelo Perkins said no company has approached Harpersville about building a data center
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Alabama attorney general stated the state will continue advocating for consumers amid AI data center buildout
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Tommy Tuberville, U.S. Senator and Republican gubernatorial nominee, supports data center development
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Council member, Westover
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.
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U.S. Representative, Alabama
U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell opposes Project Red Clay and published opinion piece against the data center.
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Alabama Governor
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
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U.S. Senator
Sen. Tommy Tuberville says data centers could bring significant economic benefits, particularly to rural communities
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U.S. Senator
Sen. Katie Britt said data centers are 'critical' to maintaining America's technological leadership
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Officials
Silicon Ranch will build the facility and sell electricity to Alabama Power
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Cynthia Lee Almond, President of the Alabama Public Service Commission
Alabama is already requiring demonstrations to verify proposed demand, long term contracts, minimum building requirements, upfront reimbursement of direct costs, and even termination fees.
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Cynthia Lee Almond, President of the Alabama Public Service Commission
If additional resources are necessary, the Commission requires the data center to cover the costs of those resources.
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Cynthia Lee Almond, President of the Alabama Public Service Commission
No project should ever compromise reliability for existing customers.
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Cynthia Lee Almond, President of the Alabama Public Service Commission
No free rides for big tech. The entities driving up the costs must be the entities covering the costs.
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Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed said investment means good jobs and stronger schools
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Kay Ivey, Governor of Alabama
Meta data center will be the 20th of its kind in the United States
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Ellen McNair, Secretary, Alabama Department of Commerce
Meta data center project requires a tremendous amount of power
Chief executives 2
Chief executives, presidents, founders and chairs of companies, in technology, data centers, power and elsewhere. Every state.
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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.
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Microsoft co-founder
Bill Gates warns AI and data centers could become the worst source of injustice without solutions addressing community concerns about energy and water
Candidates and campaigns 13
People running for office, their campaigns and their parties. A candidate who does not hold the office is not an official. Every state.
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Alabama gubernatorial candidate
Doug Jones, candidate for Alabama governor, says data centers have moved to top of voters' concerns in 2026 midterm elections
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Democratic gubernatorial candidate
Doug Jones accused Tuberville of ethical malpractice for accepting campaign funds from large tech companies currently building data centers in west Alabama.
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Republican gubernatorial nominee
Tommy Tuberville proposes letting communities decide whether they want a data center
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Republican gubernatorial nominee
Tuberville proposes extending Alabama Power rate freeze past 2029
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Democratic gubernatorial nominee
Doug Jones proposed a one year moratorium on new data center construction
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Democratic gubernatorial nominee
Democrats and gubernatorial nominee Doug Jones call for yearlong moratorium on data center facilities
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Tuberville campaign finance disclosure
Applied Digital Corporation contributed $25,000 to Tuberville campaign
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Democratic gubernatorial nominee, Alabama
Doug Jones, Democratic gubernatorial nominee, calls for one year moratorium on data center development and criticizes secrecy around Project Red Clay.
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Doug Jones called for more data center transparency and accountability
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Democratic gubernatorial candidate Doug Jones called for a temporary pause on additional data center development
Advocates and residents 10
Advocacy and community groups on every side, residents, neighbors and people speaking at public meetings. Every state.
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Amy Kremer, chair of Humans First
Humans First held news conference in Bessemer on September 13, 2026 opposing data center construction
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Joseph Baker, co organizer of the event, said AI and data center rollout is causing negative effects at facilities and surrounding areas
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organizers of AI Data Center Revolt Tour
Representatives of the AI Data Center Revolt Tour visited Alabama to highlight the impact of data centers on rural communities
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Texas state director, Humans First
Kathy Latham, Texas state director of Humans First, said rural America is under attack by big tech wanting land
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Munford residents
Residents concerned about potential data center development on farmland in rural community near Curry Station Road
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progressive grass-roots organization
Indivisible West Alabama hosting public forum on data centers and surveillance August 27 at Grace Presbyterian Church
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Indivisible West Alabama and community groups
Concerns about proposed data centers include pollution of air, noise and water, excess power consumption leading to rising energy costs
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Indivisible West Alabama
Forum will address Flock Safety cameras and concerns about mass surveillance
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Hazel Green resident
Joshua Craig from Hazel Green expressed concern about data center expansion reducing farmland
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Huntsville residents
Residents questioned Huntsville leaders about Meta expansion raising concerns about water use, power, jobs, environmental impacts and transparency
Researchers and analysts 1
Universities, research institutes, think tanks, pollsters, economists and consultants. Every state.
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Darrell M. West, Brookings senior fellow, says political backlash to data centers has emerged rapidly compared to other technologies
Other voices 3
Journalists, lawyers, former officials, and speakers the source describes in words that name none of the groups above. Every state.
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Brian Lyman, Editor, Alabama Reflector
Column notes Tuberville plan lacks key requirement to make community objections meaningful: enforcement mechanism
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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
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Rob Hamilton
Silicon Ranch spokesperson says cadmium telluride panels can be stowed during storms
The group comes from the words the source gives for the speaker; how the groups are read. Every statement on the record is in CSV and JSON, with its group and its state.
