Where Alabama's Major Public Officials Stand On Hyperscale AI Data Centers

With huge hyperscale data center projects being proposed in Alabama, such as "Project Red Clay" about six miles southwest of Montgomery, "Project Marvel" in Bessemer, and the two million square foot project in Brookwood, it is important to note what Alabama's public officials and political candidates are saying about hyperscale AI data centers. For Alabamians have held protests against the development of hyperscale data centers with residents in Bessemer even referring to hyperscale data centers as "vampires" due to their huge energy and water consumption. Several cities in Alabama have also recently enacted moratoriums to pause the development of new data centers such as Pinson, Fairfield, Homewood, Leeds, Cullman, Springville, and Fort Payne.

U.S. Senator Tommy Tubervile, who is also the Republican gubernatorial nominee for the State of Alabama in the forthcoming November election, has famously referred to all the dissent regarding hyperscale AI data centers as "bull crap". Although, hyperscale data centers purchase much of their hardware supplies, power components, and networking materials from China, Coach Tuberville insists that any opposition to hyperscale data centers stems from the Red Dragon. Just why China would oppose the construction of hyperscale data centers that they make money off of has yet to be explained by Senator Tuberville. Yet, Tuberville insists that hyperscale data centers are a "gold mine" and he wants Alabama's schoolchildren to be taught A.I. With Tuberville stating that he wants Alabama to be a leader in classroom integration of A.I. into the school curriculum.

Former U.S. Senator Doug Jones, who is also the Democratic gubernatorial nominee for the State of Alabama in the upcoming November election, has stated that he supports a "one-year moratorium" to "halt data center developments in the State of Alabama" so the state has time to fully study the matter of hyperscale AI data centers. Jones has also referred to the, "current high-speed, no holds barred effort" to build hyperscale data centers in Alabama as a way to make Alabama a dumping ground for big AI data centers for the rich billionaires. Which Doug Jones has stated is an example of how the rich billionaires are trying to turn Alabama into a, "dumping center", for those who he believes truly don't, "give a damn about us or the communities that we live in."

U.S. Senator Katie Britt has echoed Tuberville with regards to hyperscale data centers and the Red Dragon by stating that, "data centers are critical to maintaining our economic edge over China". On her social media page she has also stated that she supports, President Trump, "taking steps to protect ratepayers while maintaining a competitive edge over China and ensuring America remains a global leader in technological advancement." Again, given that several of the supplies used to build the hyperscale data centers come from China and 90% of the world's AI servers are built using products designed by the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, it is hard to see how the hyperscale AI data centers will help the USA maintain an economic edge over China. Especially, given that companies like Fujitsu can cause errors to occur in IT systems that have serious ramifications. Such as the one featured in the "Mr. Bates vs. the Post Office" series on PBS.

U.S. Representative Terri Sewell from Alabama's 7th Congressional District has co-signed the "AI Data Center Moratorium Act" which would stop the construction and sizeable expansions of AI data centers until a federal framework is established, "to protect workers, communities, natural resources, and consumers while ensuring the benefits of AI are broadly shared." Sewell has co-signed the AI Data Center Moratorium Act because she wants to, "put common sense guardrails in place before this expansion continues". With Sewell further clarifying that, "it is clear that the projects are being built faster than we can establish the safeguards our communities deserve." According to Sewell, "Responsible innovation and community protection are not competing goals – they are complementary ones."

At an event in Lowndes County, U.S. Representative Shomari Figures from Alabama's 2nd Congressional District who is running for re-election in November, asked the locals if they wanted a proposed 1,050 acre, $1.5 billion, artificial intelligence data center in Hayneville, when they said "No", Figures stated that, "Well, I'm with the people of Lowndes County." Shomari figures is not entirely opposed to hyperscale data centers, however. But, he has stated that the companies need to pick sites where the local communities actually want the hyperscale data centers.

Jim Zeigler, former State Auditor and the Republican nominee for Place 2 on the Public Service Commission, has stated on the campaign trail that he will serve as a "Watchman" on the Public Service Commission and will ensure that the secrecy surrounding hyperscale data center developments will be changed. For Zeigler has clarified that important information regarding data centers and solar farms, "never made it to the local people whose property, lives, and environment could be forever changed." With Zeigler emphasizing that, "That should not happen and will not happen if I am elected. I will serve on the PSC as the Watchman." Zeigler has also referenced the Big Tech Carpetbaggers when it comes to hyperscale data centers being built in Alabama, by stating that, "Big Tech data centers are driving the expansion of Alabama's power grid – and someone has to pay for it. Right now, that someone is you." Meaning, the Alabama taxpayers. Zeigler has further elucidated that, " . . . if Big Tech creates the power shock, Big Tech should fund the power solution."

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