‘Lame duck’ commission: PSC candidates question who should decide Alabama’s data center future

A high-stakes political showdown is brewing over the future of Alabama’s energy landscape. As the Public Service Commission (PSC) evaluates new regulatory frameworks for powering large-scale data centers, candidates are sounding the alarm over whether a commission with one foot out the door should be making long-term policy decisions.

A Lame Duck Commission Under Fire

With two of the three current PSC commissioners set to depart after losing their respective Republican primaries, critics argue the body lacks the mandate to set rules that will dictate the state's energy future for decades. The PSC is currently in the midst of a public comment period regarding electrical agreements for massive data center projects, with a goal of implementing new processes by October.

Former Alabama auditor and PSC candidate Jim Zeigler, who ousted incumbent Chris Beeker in the June primary, believes the commission’s current makeup disqualifies it from shaping this agenda. “They are going out by popular vote,” Zeigler said. “They don’t have any business setting the long-term procedures on how the PSC should be handling these things.”

Republican incumbent Jeremy Oden also faced a primary defeat, losing to Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry, who secured a decisive victory in May.

The Data Center Boom

The urgency of the debate stems from the rapid proliferation of data centers across Alabama, with major projects underway in Bessemer, Birmingham, Hayneville, Montgomery, Mobile, and Huntsville. As residents express concerns over the environmental and ratepayer impact, candidates like Zeigler are positioning themselves as watchdogs.

Democratic candidate Shelia McNair echoed Zeigler’s skepticism regarding the current commission, labeling the process a potential disaster for ratepayers. Conversely, fellow Democrat James Gordon suggests the PSC still maintains a role in gathering public input, though he notes the commission's influence will evolve when it expands to seven members in January under a structure announced by Gov. Kay Ivey.

National Context and Public Access

The local debate mirrors a broader national conversation. President Trump’s recent executive order to accelerate data center infrastructure has put pressure on states, though Alabama Power’s parent company, Southern Company, has pledged to ensure data center operators shoulder their own electrical costs.

As the PSC continues to collect public feedback, officials maintain that the system is functioning as intended. Spokesperson Caleb Hicks noted that anyone experiencing technical issues with the portal can reach out to the Commission at (334) 242-5218 for assistance.