Alabama local leaders could 'pay teachers more, pay law enforcement more' by welcoming data centers, Tuberville says
U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville is strongly advocating for Alabama to embrace data center development, arguing it will bring significant tax revenue for schools and law enforcement. He is challenging local city councils and mayors considering slowing down or imposing moratoriums on data center projects, attributing the "alarmism" to negative propaganda. Tuberville also addressed concerns about electricity rates, stating data centers can use their own power or work with utilities without raising rates for residents.
U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) recently addressed the Business Council of Alabama's Governmental Affairs Conference, strongly advocating for the state to embrace data center development. He directly challenged Alabama city councils and mayors who are expressing hesitancy or considering moratoriums on new data center projects. Tuberville emphasized the significant tax revenue that data centers could generate, citing potential millions for school systems and increased pay for law enforcement and teachers, enabling communities to build infrastructure they previously couldn't afford.
Tuberville dismissed the "alarmism" surrounding data centers, suggesting it stems from "negative propaganda from China" and "national left-wing pressure groups." He linked stalled American data center projects, especially those facing zoning disputes, to a disadvantage in the global AI race. The Senator also publicly criticized Democrat Doug Jones, his opponent in the governor's race, for backing a data center moratorium, arguing such a move would hinder the state's growth.
Addressing concerns about electricity consumption, Tuberville insisted that data center growth should not burden Alabama families or lead to increased power rates. He suggested data centers could generate their own power or work with utilities like Alabama Power and TVA without negatively impacting existing residents. He pointed to Virginia, a major data center hub, as proof of the economic benefits, claiming data centers there fund the entire K-12 and higher education systems.