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In Alabama, Opposition to Renewable Solar Energy Joins a Data Center Battle
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- Jim Zeigler, who as a college student helped oust civil rights antagonist Bull Connor from the Alabama Public Service Commission in the early 1970s, now seeks a commission seat again amid renewed political interest.
- The Alabama Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities, has become a focal point due to the contentious national debate over the impact of large A.I. data centers on resources.
- In a recent Republican runoff, Zeigler criticized data centers and also positioned solar power and carbon reduction efforts as threats to Alabama’s interests, urging voters to reject them despite job creation claims.
- Data centers have drawn bipartisan concern over their heavy consumption of power and water, while renewable energy, including solar, faces opposition from figures like President Trump.
