ZEIGLER: TRUMP SOTU ANNOUNCES 'RATEPAYER PROTECTION PLEDGES" TO SHIELD CONSUMERS FROM RISING POWER BILLS CAUSED BY DATA CENTERS By Jim Zeigler, former PSC commissioner and State Auditor

In the State of the Union speech Tuesday night, President Trump recognized that there is a problem with rising power bills, and he announced one big step to protect consumers from rising electric bills caused by data centers going up in Alabama and across the nation.

He did not address plans to vet the centers and protect local communities from other problems caused by the locations of the centers. Also, he has not yet addressed problems caused by solar farms, carbon capture and other high-tech facilities eyeing Alabama locations.

It is apparent that a local "Watchman" is needed in Alabama to give oversight to the proposed centers.

Trump announced agreements with the tech industry to ensure that data centers cover more of the huge cost of powering artificial intelligence operations.

"We have an old grid. It could never handle the kind of numbers, the amount of electricity that's needed. So I'm telling companies, they can build their own plant and produce their own electricity." Trump said in the State of the Union speech.

The Trump administration is negotiating "Ratepayer Protection Pledges" with the high-tech companies moving toward building centers in Alabama and elsewhere. Details of those pledges are not yet known.

Right now, the existing centers use massive amounts of electricity. That causes at least two problems – strain on the over-extended power grid and rising costs to the general consumers from supplying that electrical demand. Early indications are that the Trump plan will address both those issues.

Rising power bills and the possibility of brownouts and other strains on the power grid. Those problems are the targets of the Trump Ratepayer Protection Pledges.

What we do not (yet) see being addressed includes:

__The location of centers spoiling the character of neighborhoods and towns.

__Massive use of local water supplies to cool the facilities.

__Release of wastewater and other pollutants into the local environment.

__Deforestration and changing of the character of local land.

__Use of millions of dollars in industrial incentives from local and state governments.

__Inclusion of other high-tech centers, such as so-called solar farms and carbon capture operations.

The Trump administration can set national policies for these centers, but they cannot be boots on the ground in Alabama overseeing the local proposed sitings here. Because the Public Service Commission can set rate schedules for these industries and has some limited jurisdiction to approve power agreements, I propose that the Alabama PSC step forward and take the lead in a Watchman role. It would be an expanded role for the PSC.

We are entering a new era – the artificial intelligence era. Many consumers are uneasy with it and want to simply say 'no.' 'No data centers and AI facilities in Alabama.' That is not likely to happen. Some data centers are under development already. Others are being viewed in Alabama.

Since centers are likely coming, it is vital that we do this right. Alabama needs a Watchman over high-tech centers.

Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth." Isaiah 21:6

Jim Zeigler is a freelance writer. He is former State Auditor and Alabama Public Service Commissioner. He is a candidate for PSC Place 2 in the May 19 Republican primary. Zeiglereldercare@yahoo.com http://www.Zig4Alabama.com

Opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Alabama Gazette staff or publishers.