The Alabama Capitol building in Montgomery. Credit: Lee Hedgepeth/Inside Climate News

In a Rare Statewide Debate, Alabama Candidates Spar Over Data Centers, Utility Rates

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Alabama’s Data Center Debate Intensifies as Candidates Clash Over Energy Bills and Utility Power

In a rare statewide debate for Alabama’s second-highest office, Democratic state Rep. Phillip Ensler and former Republican Party Chairman John Wahl faced off, with data centers and utility rates dominating the conversation.

Inside Climate News reported that the debate, hosted by WHNT in Huntsville, marked the first major‑party showdown for a statewide race since 2010, when Republicans took control of Alabama’s government. Ensler, who has proposed a moratorium on new data center construction, argued that the facilities threaten both community autonomy and affordability, while Wahl acknowledged their inevitability but warned of unchecked expansion.

a debate hosted by WHNT,

“Data centers are a necessary evil,” Wahl said, “but we need to make sure communities are protected.” His comments reflected a broader industry trend: the demand for data centers is driven not by streaming services but by artificial intelligence infrastructure, according to experts. An Inside Climate News analysis found that proposed data center campuses in Alabama could consume more energy than all residential homes in the state combined.

The Hidden Cost to the Suburbs

Ensler’s focus on data centers is not just theoretical. In Lowndes County, residents have been fighting a proposed hyperscale data center for months, with Ensler visiting the area five times to show solidarity. Fenn Church has been locked in a legal battle with Alabama Power over the utility’s use of eminent domain to install transmission lines.

Stock vector lowndes county and town of hayneville location on alabama state map

Church, who has criticized Alabama Power for its actions, said Ensler is the only candidate to stand with him. It’s about what’s right,” Church said. His case highlights a deeper issue: the power of Alabama Power, the state’s electric utility, which has faced scrutiny for its rate‑setting practices.

Inside Climate News found that Alabamians paid the highest average residential electricity bills in the nation in 2024, the latest year with complete data. Ensler has made this a central issue, accusing Republicans of undermining public oversight of the Public Service Commission, the state’s utility regulator. “Who has taken away the right to vote from people is Republicans,” he said, referring to a 2026 bill that sought to end elections for public service commissioners. While the measure failed, a subsequent law expanded the commission’s elected membership but weakened its independence by creating a governor‑appointed secretary of energy.

Alabama Lt Governor Candidates Debate at News 19 | Oct. 28, 2026 | News 19 at 10 p.m.

The Devil’s Advocate: Economic Growth vs. Consumer Protection

Wahl, meanwhile, defended data centers as economic engines. “We need data centers, but we need to do it the right way,” he said, emphasizing the need for “smart regulation” rather than bans.

The Road to November

The debate’s implications stretch beyond the candidates’ platforms. With the general election set for Nov. 3, voters will soon decide whether to elect a lieutenant governor who prioritizes regulatory reform or one who embraces the status quo. Ensler’s push for a moratorium reflects a vision for Alabama’s future that seeks to curb corporate influence, while Wahl’s emphasis on data centers reflects a view that they are inevitable.

Lieutenant Governor Candidates Debate Before Election | Oct. 28, 2026 | News 19 at 10 p.m.

For residents like Church, the stakes are personal. “This isn’t just about a power line,” he said. “It’s about who gets to make decisions for our communities.” As the election approaches, the debate over data centers and utility rates will likely remain a defining issue, shaping not only Alabama’s political landscape but also its energy policies for decades to come.

Inside Climate News reported on the candidates’ exchange and the context of Alabama’s energy challenges. The Alabama Supreme Court granted a motion from the utility to stay a lower‑court decision in Church’s case, further illustrating the legal battles shaping the state’s energy future.

Worth a look

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