The Alabama Public Service Commission is gaining significant attention before the runoff primaries on Tuesday. At the center of discussions are data centers, electricity costs, and the unexpected inclusion of solar power as a controversial topic.
Jim Zeigler, who became involved in politics in the early 1970s, has been a prominent figure in this debate. As a student, he organized efforts to challenge Bull Connor’s position at the Alabama Public Service Commission. In 1972, Zeigler helped remove Connor from this role and subsequently won a commission seat himself two years later.
Now, almost fifty years later, two commission seats have become highly sought due to nationwide discussions about A.I. data centers. Zeigler, now 78, campaigns against data centers and solar power as potential threats. At a recent event in Elmore County, he stated, “Alabama is being targeted by huge data centers, solar farms, and carbon capture operations. If anybody tries to sell you on the idea of these data centers and solar farms because of jobs and economic development, tell them that you know better.”
The connection between solar power and data centers is debated. Both Republicans and Democrats express concern over data centers’ consumption of power and water resources, which they fear could strain utilities significantly. Donald Trump has notably criticized solar power and renewable energy as part of the broader opposition to such developments.