August 3, 2026 — Montgomery, AL
Hyperscale AI data centers have become a leading issue in Alabama’s midterm campaigns as communities and public health experts press for transparency about the multibillion-dollar facilities, the Alabama Reflector reports. Alabama already hosts dozens of data centers, but the scale of the new AI builds has changed the politics.
Republican gubernatorial nominee Tommy Tuberville has embraced the industry, dismissing environmental and public health objections; Democratic nominee Doug Jones has proposed a one-year moratorium on new data center development, an idea he says came out of campaign town halls. A law passed this spring limits how much the state can change data center regulation either way.
Transparency has been its own flashpoint: Bessemer’s mayor and city attorney signed non-disclosure agreements with the developer behind the QTS “Project Marvel” proposal. Separately, the Alabama Public Service Commission on Tuesday approved Alabama Power’s 200-megawatt “Clearview Ranch” solar and battery project in Macon and Bullock counties, with costs passed to a Meta subsidiary, to support a Montgomery data center.
Read the Reflector’s full analysis.
Source: Alabama Reflector
Photo: Auburn Data Center
Opelika Daily News — Midweek Report, Aug. 5, 2026 | Compiled by Viktor AI for Opelika Daily News
