In a recent press release, Republican congressional candidate Case Dixon shared his thoughts on AI data centers as their development in cities across Alabama and the country continue to stoke heated debate and public backlash. While Dixon refrained from condemning the construction of data centers writ-large, the congressional hopeful criticized what he views as special treatment from lawmakers and a lack of adequate attention to taxpayer concerns.
“Winning the AI race against China doesn’t require corporate welfare or special treatment for Big Tech,” Dixon said. “Too often, government bends over backwards for politically connected corporations while expecting local communities to live with the consequences. That’s wrong.”
“If a project only works because of taxpayer subsidies, political favors, or special treatment, it shouldn’t happen,” he continued. “Government shouldn’t be in the business of picking winners and losers.”
Dixon added that he believes decisions relating data center development should be made at the state and local levels and that they should be subject to the same permitting, environmental and zoning requirements as any other major industrial project.
“They shouldn’t get to play by a different set of rules simply because they’re backed by powerful corporations,” Dixon said. “I’m against special treatment, crony capitalism, and shifting costs onto taxpayers, ratepayers, or local communities.”
In an additional written statement provided to APR, Dixon affirmed that he finds the environmental impacts that data centers pose to local communities concerning, but said his primary concern relates to corporations receiving preferential treatment from elected officials.
“While I don’t claim to know one way or the other what the environmental impact of a particular data center may be, I do believe it’s important to understand the true impact before moving forward with a project,” Dixon stated. “My broader concern is that data centers should be subject to the same permitting and environmental review process as any other major industrial project. They shouldn’t receive special treatment or exemptions simply because they’re backed by large, politically connected corporations.”
Dixon is currently running for the GOP nomination in Alabama’s 6th Congressional District against incumbent U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Alabama. The two candidates will face off in an August 11 special primary election after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed Alabama to revert to its 2023 congressional maps, which had previously been found to be racially discriminatory. The move voided May’s initial primary results, where Dixon received only 18.9 percent of the vote.
