Doug Jones calls for data center transparency in Lowndes County

Doug Jones, the Democratic nominee for Alabama governor, visited Lowndes County on Wednesday to promote his platform, which includes a call for a one-year moratorium on data center construction across the state. This issue has become a contentious point in the gubernatorial race, particularly after Republican nominee Tommy Tuberville expressed support for advancing data center projects.

Lowndes County is at the heart of this debate, where local residents are actively opposing a proposed 1,050-acre hyperscale data center. Jones clarified that his proposed moratorium is not intended to permanently block data centers, but rather to establish necessary safeguards and ensure transparency. He stressed the importance of communities having access to public economic impact studies to make informed decisions about whether potential benefits outweigh the costs.

Jones criticized the current lack of transparency in Alabama's government, stating that decisions are often made "behind closed doors." He asserted that the Lowndes County project should be halted, advocating for a pause on new data center construction to prevent Alabama from becoming a "dumping ground." Democratic lieutenant governor nominee Ensler echoed these sentiments, framing the issue as a matter of doing "the right thing for people and the right thing for communities," transcending political divides.

Jones explicitly linked the data center issue to the upcoming November election, directly challenging Tuberville's dismissal of residents' concerns, which Tuberville reportedly attributed to external influences and labeled as "bullcrap." Jones countered that any "bullcrap" regarding data centers originates from Tuberville's stance.