‘If your community says no, my answer is no’: As governor, Tuberville pledges to end tax breaks for data centers
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, a Republican candidate for Alabama governor, released a policy agenda calling for an end to special tax breaks for data centers. His plan would require facilities to pay for their power and water infrastructure and replace capacity they consume, while giving local communities the final say. The proposal follows the Lowndes County Commission’s approval of a 20-year tax abatement for Nvidia-backed Project Red Clay in Burkville despite resident opposition.
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville outlined a proposed “new deal for data centers” in his 21-page governing agenda for Alabama. He said data centers should receive no special tax breaks, pay the full cost of power lines, substations and water systems, and replace the electricity and water capacity they use. Tuberville also pledged to protect residential ratepayers from higher costs associated with large industrial users.
The proposal comes after the Lowndes County Commission approved a 20-year tax abatement for Project Red Clay, an Nvidia-backed data center planned on more than 1,000 acres in Burkville. The 3-2 vote followed months of strong opposition from local residents. Tuberville said he supports data center development but believes local communities should be able to reject projects and that new facilities must be built without shifting infrastructure or energy costs to families and small businesses.