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Tommy Tuberville promotes data centers, says opposition is boosted by China
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville continues to promote data center projects as he runs for governor of Alabama, suggesting that the industry’s opponents are being encouraged by China.
At a gathering of Alabama sheriffs and law enforcement officials, Tuberville said data center projects will help local communities and boost tax revenue.
“I think there’s 27 states that have already said, ‘Oh, we’re not going to build data centers. We’re not going to do that. It makes too much noise. It’s going to ruin the climate.’ Bull crap,” Tuberville said on Monday in Opelika.
“I mean, they’re listening to all this nonsense they see on social media that’s coming from China because China does not want us to grow.”
Tuberville did not respond to a request for comment from AL.com to explain his claim about China.
According to recent reporting from The New York Times, state-sponsored media in China, Russia and Iran are amplifying Americans’ questions about artificial intelligence and data centers, in an apparent effort to increase tensions.
Tuberville said the Alabama projects will bring in tax revenue. Large data centers are under construction in Bessemer, Birmingham, Hayneville, Montgomery and elsewhere.
“The tax money that comes from those things is unbelievable for schools, for law enforcement, for anything that’s done,” he said.
“My number one job here is to grow the state, grow our base, have more money coming in, and be able to cut back on taxes,” Tuberville said.
Tuberville has consistently supported data center projects and industry development across the state.
“Data centers are going to be a big part of our state if it works because they bring in an enormous amount of tax money for the schools and hospitals,” he told reporters in May.
His opponent in the governor’s race, former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, does not support unrestricted data center development.
“Data companies have a lot more money than individual families in this state,” Jones told AL.com.
“They can supply their own power and pay their own way. Data centers are coming, but we’ve got to put some guardrails around them, both at the state and local level, to protect our environment and community.”