Alabama

State Sen. Arthur Orr says Alabama needs data centers but advocates for a measured approach, citing concerns about rising electricity rates and potential conflicts with other economic development projects. Several cities have implemented temporary moratoriums while the debate continues statewide.

Data centers Archives - Yellowhammer News · Morgan Co., AL

AL.com · Jefferson Co., AL

A 50-year-old Bessemer man was struck by a vehicle on Pocahontas Road early July 31 and died hours later at UAB Hospital. The driver remained at the scene and called authorities.

WBRC 6 News · Jefferson Co., AL

Yellowhammer News · Alabama

National polling shows 43% of registered voters believe the U.S. has too many AI data centers, up from 35% in January, while 23% remain unsure and others are open to development. A separate Alabama survey found similar division, with 37% of likely Republican primary voters viewing data centers as bringing mixed benefits and drawbacks.

Yellowhammer News · Alabama

Data centers have become a central issue in Alabama elections amid public health and transparency concerns. Large artificial intelligence facilities like Project Marvel in Bessemer raise worries about noise, traffic, light pollution, water usage, and diesel generator emissions, while non-disclosure agreements have limited community access to project information.

Alabama Reflector · Alabama · also at rocketcitynow.com

Alabama Public Service Commission candidates are debating whether the current "lame duck" commissioners should decide data center power contract rules as the three-member commission prepares for major restructuring. Republican candidate Jim Zeigler and Democrat Shelia McNair argue the two commissioners who lost their primaries should not make long-term decisions, while Democrat James Gordon contends the commission can still gather public input before the PSC expands to seven members in January.

al.com · Alabama

Headline onlyThe Tuscaloosa News · Tuscaloosa Co., AL · also at Montgomery Advertiser

Headline onlymynbc15.com · Mobile Co., AL

Headline onlyWBMA · Jefferson Co., AL

About 100 residents attended a community forum Thursday at Wallace Community College in Demopolis to learn about potential environmental, infrastructure and community impacts of large-scale data centers, as proposals emerge across Alabama's Black Belt region.

Black Belt News Network · Marengo Co., AL · also at Black Belt News Network

Yellowhammer News · Madison Co., AL

Black Belt News Network · Lowndes Co., AL · also at Alabama Political Reporter

Former Sen. Doug Jones, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, held a town hall in Huntsville addressing healthcare, data centers, and education. Jones emphasized expanding Medicaid to bring revenue and support rural hospitals, and highlighted a housing affordability bill as key to keeping young people in the area.

Axios · Madison Co., AL

U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell opposes a proposed $1.5 billion data center in Lowndes County, citing concerns about water infrastructure strain, environmental impacts demonstrated in similar projects elsewhere, and the disproportionate burden on a historically disadvantaged majority-Black community. Sewell states the project demands greater scrutiny before residents face consequences they did not choose.

AL.com · Lowndes Co., AL

About 50 residents in Mobile County, Alabama attended a Monday community meeting to question local leaders about a proposed $6 billion data center project, expressing concerns about limited public input and potential impacts including increased traffic, infrastructure strain, and resource consumption.

thecooldown.com · Mobile Co., AL · also at Yahoo

Headline onlyWKRG · Mobile Co., AL

Headline onlyBlack Belt News Network · Marengo Co., AL

Prichard City Council's vote on a 480-day moratorium for data center projects was derailed Thursday when an unnamed entity submitted a data center application, requiring the council to hold a public hearing before the moratorium can proceed. A public hearing was scheduled for August 13.

Lagniappe Daily · Mobile Co., AL · also at lagniappemobile.com

Headline onlyRTO Insider · Alabama

The City of Prichard is considering a temporary moratorium on data centers after an application was submitted for a proposed $93 million facility, with council members debating the project's potential $4.5 million to $5 million annual revenue against concerns about infrastructure impacts and its proximity to the historic Africatown community.

AL.com · Mobile Co., AL

Alabama Power filed a redacted contract for electric service to a data center in Jefferson County, withholding key financial and operational terms needed to evaluate whether existing customers will bear any costs. The filing comes as Alabama prepares to implement new regulations in October requiring data center contracts to demonstrate they cover their own costs and benefit existing ratepayers.

WBRC 6 News · Alabama · also at WSFA

Headline onlyWBRC 6 News · Jefferson Co., AL · also at WBRC 6 News, WSFA

Prichard Mayor Carletta Davis called for a community meeting to discuss the city's police department's future after multiple officers, including the police chief, faced arrests in a corruption investigation. The Mobile County Sheriff's Office has handled non-traffic calls since mid-June.

AL.com · Mobile Co., AL

Congressional investigators report that a Marxist organization tied to Chinese funding organized opposition in Alabama to a $93 million data center project in Prichard, according to a Bitcoin Policy Institute report now held by the FBI. The campaign, allegedly orchestrated by a network connected to a Shanghai-based American businessman, has stalled an estimated $23.6 billion in data center investments across at least 14 states through local moratoria and blocked projects.

Yellowhammer News · Mobile Co., AL

Capt. Michael Knight of the Prichard Police Department was arrested and charged with first-degree Theft by Deception and Use of Official Position for Personal Gain in an ongoing corruption investigation, following similar charges against the police chief and major.

AL.com · Mobile Co., AL

Democratic nominee Doug Jones told a Huntsville town hall crowd Wednesday that he would help the city address infrastructure needs tied to its economic growth and that he would leverage federal housing assistance funding to help address high housing costs. Jones also reiterated support for Medicaid expansion, an education lottery and a moratorium on data centers in response to resident questions.

AL.com · Madison Co., AL

timesdaily.com · Alabama · also at Lowndes Signal

Headline onlyWKRG · Mobile Co., AL · also at WDHN, WKRG

Prichard city leaders discussed options for addressing a proposed AI data center during a Wednesday community forum, including a temporary moratorium that could expose the city to legal challenges or creating restrictive ordinances governing the project's operation and location relative to residential areas.

mynbc15.com · Mobile Co., AL