Fairfield Residents Oppose Proposed Patmos Data Center as Council Tables C-PACE Program
Fairfield residents protested a proposed Patmos colocation data center at the former Walmart site, citing concerns about the project's water and power needs and a lack of public information. The City Council tabled discussion of a C-PACE financing program and separately enacted a moratorium on new data center applications, although the existing Patmos proposal is exempt.
Residents protested outside Fairfield City Hall over Patmos' proposed conversion of a former Walmart site into a colocation data center and technology campus. The first phase is expected to require about 20 megawatts of power and $150 million in investment, with potential expansion to 45 megawatts. Patmos has estimated water use of about 10,000 gallons per day during hot conditions and said it would cover the costs of Alabama Power upgrades needed to serve the facility.
Mayor Herman Carnes and Patmos have said a potential Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy financing arrangement would use private funds and would not create city debt or liability. The City Council tabled consideration of the C-PACE program and plans a dedicated work session, while residents and the Fairfield Environmental Justice Alliance continue to seek project documents, financial details and public meetings. The council also unanimously approved a moratorium on new data center applications, but the ban does not apply to the Patmos proposal, which was already under consideration.