State Rep. Rex Reynolds (R-Huntsville) believes that local communities should be the ones making the decisions on whether to allow new data centers to be built nearby.
Several cities across Alabama have been pumping the breaks on new data center projects this year, including Fort Payne, Cullman, Birmingham, Leeds, and Homewood. Just last month, the Cullman City Council voted unanimously to approve a one-year moratorium on data centers, doing so without commentary from council members.
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn), has recently defended the construction of new data centers, arguing it would be good for the state’s economy.
Reynolds discussed the issue Thursday on WVNN’s “The Yaffee Program.”
“Yeah, I am starting to get a few emails regarding that,” Reynolds said. “As you know, we have two major data centers in Huntsville, and I think that’s probably enough for our area. You know, it’s a huge strain. Of course, that’s a TVA direct utility, but it still puts a huge strain on our available power for for recruiting industry. So we look at that, compare that kind of the number of jobs it brings, and and kind of make those decisions going forward.”
“And as we’ve seen play out, as you say, we’re seeing that play out in other communities,” he added. “And I think each community’s got to make that decision, you know, based on other jobs and other industries that they’re recruiting, and make the best decision for what fits their geographic area.”
New York announced a one year ban on new data center construction this week, causing President Donald Trump to criticize the decision. Trump said that states like Alabama would benefit if more Democratic led states ban them.
Reynolds agrees with the President that a statewide ban would not be a good idea.
“There may be places in Alabama that would welcome a data center,” he said. “They would welcome the jobs and and and welcome the sale of that energy in that area. So you know, I think a statewide you know moratorium on that would probably not be the right direction to go. But let them do the let them decide just like we do any economic development deal in Alabama, and I think I think we’ve done a good job, you know, from from the Tennessee line to the to the coast of Alabama doing exactly that.”
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on X @Yaffee
