Alabama Senator Arthur Orr Calls for Measured Approach to New Data Centers

State Senator Arthur Orr (R‑Decatur) said Alabama needs new data centers but urged a deliberate, controlled rollout. Speaking on WVNN’s “The Dale Jackson Show,” Orr warned that unchecked growth could raise electricity rates and strain power supplies, potentially harming other economic development projects.

He noted that U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville, the Republican nominee for governor, is championing data‑center construction, while several Alabama cities have imposed temporary moratoriums. Power providers, including Southern Company (owner of Alabama Power), have joined President Donald Trump’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge to reassure consumers about power‑usage impacts. Democrats such as U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell have opposed the expansion, co‑sponsoring a bill to temporarily ban new data centers nationwide.