Hyperscale Data Centers Have "Been Able To Do Whatever They Want To Do" - Tommy Tuberville

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville discussed hyperscale data centers during his weekly media call. Tuberville acknowledged during the call that, "Well, it has been a hot topic, and people in Alabama. And they are obviously concerned about data centers causing their energy bills to go up. And I completely agree with them." Yet, while acknowledging the concerns of Alabamians with regards to hyperscale data centers, Tuberville maintained that "further development of data centers across the state" is something that "We have to do . . ."

Hyperscale data centers have become a point of concern for Alabamians as secrecy shrouds the development of new hyperscale data centers throughout the state. In fact, the mayor of Brookwood, which is facing the potential development of a huge two-million square foot hyperscale data center close to the Brookwood Middle School, recently stated that, "Unfortunately, I'm subject to certain contractual agreements that limit my ability to speak in detail at this point . . ." when referring to the Brookwood hyperscale data center. With Mayor Joe Barger further stating that, "But, I will say this – we are working on bringing more industrial development to our industrial parkway . . ."

While not giving specifics concerning how he would enforce a potential freeze on power rates for Alabamians, Tommy Tuberville stated during the media call that, "I'm calling on Alabama Power to freeze rates further into the future. It's their responsibility." It is worth noting that a freeze on power rates does not lower the power rate. With Alabamians currently averaging $173 in their monthly power bills. But, without specifics, Tuberville stated that, "In the end, all utility providers, they will need to be held accountable as we move forward."

The republican nominee for governor of Alabama, Tommy Tuberville, then stated that, "We're going to need to end the practice of giving these big tax breaks to data centers. They don't need that. They have plenty of money." Historically, Alabama has been offering long-term tax abatements for large hyperscale AI data centers that have included up to 30 years' worth of property and construction sales tax breaks. With the recent trend in Alabama being to reduce that to 20 years' worth of tax breaks. Yet, some studies are showing that any hyperscale data centers that are being constructed now will be obsolete by the time they actually launch operations.

Tuberville further clarified that, "If a data center wants to come to Alabama, they need to sell us and not the other way around. I mean it's their responsibility to sell us on their data centers." With Tuberville admitting that, "So for the past several years, data centers, they've been able to do whatever they want to do." A point of concern for concerned Alabama citizens as the huge water consumption of the hyperscale data centers has limited the amount of water available to the average person in some areas throughout the country, the huge energy demands of AI data centers is making power unaffordable for people in some areas, the noise and air pollution have all kind of health side effects to both humans and wildlife, and the fact that all of those negative side effects are basically for naught. Since most hyperscale data centers, according to an article in "The Harvard Gazette", "don't bring meaningful economic development, especially in the form of jobs."

Luisa Reyes is a Tuscaloosa attorney, poet, reporter, piano instructor, vocalist, and columnist who writes on current affairs, politics, and the arts.