Alabama kicked off 2026 as an energy and manufacturing powerhouse, thanks to strong leadership and citizens who prioritize sensible energy policies and domestic energy production. The Yellowhammer State is poised to help America achieve its energy dominance and national security goals—and we are already home to major data centers that power AI.
Technology companies like Meta and Google have found a welcoming home in Alabama for large-scale investments. As they settle in, and continue to find additional sites for data centers, the oil and natural gas industry works overtime to provide the energy they need to succeed, aiding to secure our country’s strong position in the global AI race.
These exciting investments in Alabama are emblematic of what American Petroleum Institute CEO Mike Sommers is calling the demand decade. These next 10 years will be a remarkable period of historic, structural growth arriving faster than today’s infrastructure and permitting systems were ever designed to support it. These shifts are rewriting the demand curve and reshaping our grid, our economy, and America’s global competitiveness.
Thanks to refreshing leadership in Washington supportive of America’s oil and natural gas industry, the trajectory of U.S. energy policy has shifted from restriction to expansion, but sustaining this progress—and meeting the full-scale demand of the coming years—will require supportive policies in Alabama and by our state legislature to keep this momentum up.
As the Legislature continues with the current 2026 Legislative Session, we are hopeful members will continue to build on the progress made last year when Governor Ivey signed the “Powering Growth” plan into law. This comprehensive legislation has given the state a launching pad to solidify Alabama’s energy dominance, accelerate economic development, and address energy infrastructure supply chain vulnerabilities. Notably, the plan streamlines permitting and removes regulatory delays so that energy infrastructure projects can move faster and at lower costs.
Voters across parties have moved past old debates—they want affordability and reliability, and they know expanding American energy is the path to a stronger future. It is more important than ever that our elected officials implement policy that will enable infrastructure growth, exploration and development of natural resources, and work to defeat policies that stymie implementation of technology and stifle innovation.
Elected officials who champion access, infrastructure and domestic production are leading the way for our country to continue to be strong and secure. Those who fail to adapt to the realities of today no longer match the moment.
Many of the policies and permitting reforms being encouraged in Alabama are exactly what is needed to power the State of American Energy and help our nation meet the scale of our energy needs in The Demand Decade.
In 2026, America’s future depends on the strength of oil and natural gas—and our industry in Alabama and across the nation is ready to meet the moment and rise to the challenge.
American-produced energy is the path to a stronger future, and as we mark 250 years as a nation, American-produced energy will again power the next chapter of U.S. growth.
