Why I oppose the proposed data center in Lowndes County: op-ed from U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell

This is a guest opinion column

Across Alabama’s 7th Congressional District, local communities—from Birmingham and Bessemer to Fairfield and Lowndes County—are facing a wave of proposals for massive AI data centers. While residents are raising critical questions regarding infrastructure, quality of life, and the future of their neighborhoods, their concerns are hitting a wall of silence.

During a recent town hall in Lowndes County, I heard firsthand from residents about the proposed $1.5 billion data center. Given the area's history, existing infrastructure gaps, and the sheer scale of this project, it is clear that this development requires a level of scrutiny it simply hasn't received yet.

I am standing with the people of Lowndes County in opposition to this project. Important questions remain unanswered, the potential consequences are too high to ignore, and the community deserves far better than what has been offered by proponents.

A Community at a Crossroads

Lowndes County has endured generations of hardship and injustice. Despite its pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement, the area has faced chronic underinvestment and environmental challenges. As a member of Congress, I fully support the promise of artificial intelligence; I want Alabama to lead in the industries of the future and for our rural communities to benefit from technological progress. However, true innovation cannot come at the expense of those it is meant to serve.

Residents aren't driven by a fear of technology—they are asking who actually benefits and who bears the costs. It is a fundamental question that demands an honest answer.

The Water Infrastructure Crisis

My primary concern is water. For generations, Lowndes County has struggled for reliable wastewater infrastructure, fighting against failing septic systems and poor sanitation. While I have fought to secure federal funding to fix these systemic issues, the work is ongoing. A project of this magnitude risks placing an unsustainable strain on the county’s already fragile infrastructure.

The risks are real. Just 12 miles away in Hope Hull, the local Meta data center is the single largest user of water in the Montgomery system. Furthermore, in Newton County, Georgia, residents have reported contaminated drinking water and structural damage following data center construction. These issues have even prompted an EPA investigation. Lowndes County deserves that same level of care before any irreversible decisions are made.

History, Equity, and Accountability

The racial and economic dimensions of this proposal cannot be ignored. Lowndes County, a majority-Black community, has a long history of being asked to shoulder environmental and economic risks while others reap the rewards. This land holds deep significance for many families, including my own, whose ancestors worked this soil. We cannot allow an AI-driven economy to repeat these historical cycles of neglect.

Furthermore, residents have every right to question if this specific unincorporated location was selected to avoid oversight and accountability. Protecting property values and the character of the community is paramount; families should not be forced to gamble their greatest assets on unproven promises.

Moving Toward a Fair Future

Every data center proposal requires transparency. To that end, I have introduced the AI Data Center Moratorium Act, which would pause construction until Congress establishes comprehensive safeguards for environmental, economic, and community impacts.

I support economic development, but I do not support asking historically underserved communities to bear disproportionate risks without meaningful engagement. If this project is truly a benefit to Lowndes County, it must withstand rigorous, independent scrutiny. Until the residents receive the accountability they deserve, I will continue to stand with them in opposing this data center.

U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell represents Alabama’s 7th Congressional District, which includes Lowndes County, where she hosted a town hall regarding the data center proposal on July 30.