U.S. Senator Katie Britt, R-Alabama, urged public accountability for data center developers last week while arguing for the economic necessity of emerging artificial intelligence technologies.
Britt’s comments come amid multiple controversies in Alabama surrounding AI data center development and the facilities’ potential effects on the environment and energy costs.
Data centers have emerged as a major issue in Alabama’s 2026 elections, with Republican gubernatorial nominee Senator Tommy Tuberville, R-Alabama, vocally supporting increased data center development. Democratic nominee Doug Jones, who has called for a one-year moratorium on new data center projects and a ban on nondisclosure agreements between developers and local governments, urged Tuberville last week to debate their respective proposals for regulating the facilities.
During a Thursday appearance on Alabama Public Television’s “Capitol Journal,” Britt addressed her call for a “nuanced approach” to data center development. She urged public accountability for developers and public input on proposals while arguing that new facilities are necessary to meet the demands of emerging AI technology.
“We have to be smart and judicious about how we move forward,” Britt said. “I do think we’ve seen a lot of extremes, you know, one way or the other. I think for many communities, these make sense. And, I think for others, that’s not what they’re looking for.”
“I think we’ve got to put the facts in front of the American people, and my concern is putting them in front of Alabamians,” Britt said. “Allow them to assess if the tax revenue makes sense, if it’s an offset to what they believe may be some of the downsides of it. We’ve seen some communities where that’s been very helpful. Other communities, they say, ‘that’s not for me.’ The opportunity cost of what happens, the amount of power that’s taken, and what they’re able to recruit to the area—long-term jobs—you know, the cost-benefit analysis doesn’t work for them.”
While Britt said Alabamians should have input on whether data center proposals are right for their communities, she also defended the growth of AI technology that has spurred data center development.
“I think we have to empower people with that information. But also, know this is the way of the future when it comes to AI,” she said.
“When you’re looking at the race of what is going to create dominance across the globe—it’s gonna be our race in space, and it’s gonna be this race in AI,” Britt added. “Can you imagine if these data centers were in someone else’s country? With all of this information, all of this power—they could literally flip a switch and/or take the information they’re given.”
Britt also highlighted her support for President Donald Trump’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge, a nonbinding pledge signed by roughly 200 entities committing to prevent the costs of AI data center power and development from being shifted to consumers.
Britt took to social media Monday to reaffirm her support for the Ratepayer Protection Pledge, saying she was proud to stand alongside Trump during the pledge’s initial signing in March.
“This was an outstanding first step to protecting Alabamians and ratepayers across the country, which must be a top priority,” Britt wrote of the pledge.
The Ratepayer Protection Pledge, however, has faced criticism from environmental organizations including the Sierra Club and Evergreen Action, which have questioned the measure’s enforceability.
Major social media, technology and AI companies involved in data center development have signed the pledge, along with utility providers including TVA and Southern Company, which owns Alabama Power and Georgia Power.
TVA announced a 10 percent increase in electricity rates for data centers last week. The increase will take effect October 1 and be phased in over the next three fiscal years.
