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Sen. Tommy Tuberville says China may be helping fuel opposition to data centers and urges U.S data center infrastructure in order to stay competitive.
Tuberville, who is running for governor of Alabama, spoke at a gathering of Alabama sheriffs and law enforcement officials. He said data center projects will help local communities and boost tax revenue.
Tuberville pushed back on arguments against data centers, contending that fears about environmental damage and excessive noise are not valid reasons to block construction.
Tuberville said the Alabama projects will bring in tax revenue. Large data centers are under construction in Bessemer, Birmingham, Hayneville, Montgomery and elsewhere.
His opponent in the governor’s race, former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, does not support unrestricted data center development.
The Alabama Public Service Commission is considering new rules to make sure that increased power needs are not passed on to average consumers.
Reporting by Ruth Serven Smith
Read more at AL.com