Ford Proposes Data Center Moratorium, Statewide safeguards

Independent Alabama House District 7 candidate Trent Ford is calling for a Statewide moratorium on new data center construction until lawmakers establish uniform standards governing where the facilities may be built and how they affect nearby communities.

Ford announced Monday that, if elected, he plans to introduce two bills during the 2027 Regular Session aimed at creating Statewide siting standards while expanding protections for residents, local governments and electric ratepayers.

The proposal comes as data center development has become one of Alabama's most closely watched political issues. Large projects planned or proposed across the State have prompted concerns over electric demand, water use, noise, diesel backup generators and the long-term benefits communities receive in exchange for major tax incentives and infrastructure investments.

Ford's legislative package includes the Alabama Data Center Statewide Siting Standards Act and the Alabama Data Center Community Accountability and Ratepayer Protection Act.

According to Ford, House District 7—which includes all of Lawrence County and portions of Morgan and Colbert Counties—illustrates the need for Statewide standards because many rural areas lack County zoning authority. He argues that communities without zoning have limited ability to influence where large industrial projects are located. Ford qualified earlier this year to appear on the November general election ballot as an independent candidate backed by the Yellowhammer Party.

The first proposal would require State registration and site assessments before construction begins. It would establish minimum Statewide requirements for setbacks, noise limits, on-site power generation emissions, water-use agreements, stormwater controls tied to Alabama's existing construction permit requirements, road damage bonds and, in areas without zoning, Community Benefits Agreements negotiated before construction.

The second measure would require large electricity users to pay for infrastructure needed to serve their facilities rather than shifting costs to other customers. It would also expand notice requirements and ratepayer protections into electric cooperative service territories, including those served by the Tennessee Valley Authority through local cooperatives such as Joe Wheeler EMC.

Ford said legislation approved earlier this year addressing ratepayer concerns represented progress but did not fully address areas served by electric cooperatives in north Alabama.

He said the broader package reflects his campaign platform, which also includes expanding nuclear and solar power generation to lower electricity costs, tax reform and policies addressing artificial intelligence.

Ford emphasized that he is not opposed to economic development but believes major industrial projects should provide measurable benefits to the communities where they locate.

"Alabama is not handling data centers correctly. What I did was start by identifying what other States like Texas and Utah have done, and then tried to improve upon that. I have had independent, Republican, and Democrat people look over these draft bills to help me fine-tune them. Once I'm elected, I can introduce them into the legislature. Until we can get these guardrails in place, we need a moratorium on any new data centers in Alabama. A pause of a few months could save communities decades of problems."

The call for a temporary pause mirrors that issued last week by Democratic gubernatorial nominee Doug Jones, as well as similar debates unfolding in other States, where lawmakers and local governments are weighing temporary moratoriums while drafting regulations for rapidly expanding data center development.

For information about Ford’s campaign, visit Vote for Trent Ford.