U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell has cosponsored a bill to pause work on large artificial intelligence data centers until Congress establishes federal safeguards.
One such center is proposed in Marengo and Hale counties. A forum on the data center will be held in Gallion on July 30. About 100 people attended a forum in Demopolis in April.
Sewell said in a news release that the AI Data Center Moratorium Act “responds to the rapid nationwide expansion of AI data centers whose enormous demands for water and other public resources are raising concerns in communities across the country, including in Alabama’s 7th Congressional District.”
“I have heard from countless residents from across Alabama’s 7th Congressional District who are deeply concerned about the impact that large-scale AI data centers could have on their neighborhoods, infrastructure and quality of life,” Sewell said. “They are asking thoughtful, commonsense questions about water use, energy demands, environmental impacts and whether local communities will truly benefit from these developments. I share their concerns.”
“I want America to lead the world in AI innovation, and I want Alabama to compete for the industries of the future,” Sewell said. “But innovation cannot come at the expense of the communities it is meant to serve.”
Sewell said, “For too long, underserved communities have been asked to shoulder disproportionate environmental and economic burdens while others reap the rewards. As we build the economy of tomorrow, we must ensure that innovation lifts up every community rather than leaving some to bear the costs.”
Hale and Marengo County residents will be able to hear more about the impact of the proposed data center in their area at a free public forum in Gallion on July 30.
The forum will be from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Wallace Community College, 186 Field of Dreams Dr., Gallion.
The forum is designed to inform residents of both counties about environmental and infrastructure impacts of a data center.
Doug Jones, the Democratic candidate for Alabama governor, proposes a similar ban at the state level. Republican candidate Tommy Tuberville has expressed support for data centers in the state.
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