Who should oversee data-center energy policy?
The Alabama Public Service Commission (PSC) is currently in a public comment period regarding energy policy for data centers, leading to political tension over who should set these regulations. With two of the three current PSC seats turning over in the upcoming election and Governor Kay Ivey appointing four new commissioners, there is debate about whether the current or future PSC should make these significant decisions.
A significant political debate is brewing in Alabama regarding who should set the energy policy for data centers, a topic described as one of the state's biggest political flashpoints for 2026. The Alabama Public Service Commission (PSC) is currently conducting a public comment period on the powering of these energy-intensive facilities.
Al.com's John Sharp reports that political tension stems from the upcoming November election, which will see two of the three current PSC seats turn over. Additionally, Governor Kay Ivey has appointed four new commissioners, expanding the PSC to seven members, and a new Secretary of Energy will also be involved in energy oversight.
PCS candidate and former Alabama auditor Jim Zeigler, who lost his Republican primary race, argues that the two exiting PSC members are "lame ducks" and should not be making decisions on data centers. He asserts that the new commission, including himself if elected, should be responsible for setting these procedures. Zeigler's Democratic opponent, Sheila McNair, echoed concerns about rushing big decisions and criticized the PSC's historical favoritism towards utilities over consumers. Another candidate, Democrat James Gordon, warned that waiting could diminish the PSC's power once the energy secretary takes a share and the new, governor-appointed members join, potentially making the commission beholden to the governor.