Sewell breaks with Tuberville, Trump on data centers, backs moratorium bill
U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell is cosponsoring the AI Data Center Moratorium Act, a bill that aims to halt new data center construction until Congress establishes safeguards. She cites concerns from Alabamians regarding the impact of rapid data center expansion on water, the environment, and quality of life. Sewell's stance contrasts with that of U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville and former President Donald Trump, who advocate for continued development.
U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham) has announced her cosponsorship of the AI Data Center Moratorium Act, a bill that seeks to halt new data center construction nationwide until Congress implements necessary safeguards. This stance puts her in direct opposition to U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and former President Donald Trump, who have advocated for rapid data center expansion.
Sewell emphasized that while data centers promise investment and job creation, Alabamians are raising critical questions about their impact on water resources, the environment, and property values, particularly in underserved communities. She argued that these projects are advancing faster than regulations can be established to protect communities from potential risks and unknown consequences.
The bill, initially introduced by U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortes (D-N.Y.) and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), aims not to ban data centers entirely but to pause development to ensure common-sense guardrails are in place. Sewell underscored her support for technology and innovation but stressed the need to prioritize community protection during this rapid expansion.