Alabama state Rep. Phillip Ensler and former Republican Party Chairman John Wahl debated the effects of data centers and rising utility costs in a rare statewide debate Wednesday. The WHNT-hosted event was the first major-party debate for a statewide office in Alabama since 2010.
Asked whether data centers are good for Alabama, Wahl described them as inevitable and said the state should welcome their investment while ensuring communities are protected. Ensler, who has proposed a moratorium on new data center construction, said residents have raised concerns about a lack of transparency, projects being imposed on communities and the effect on electricity prices.
The debate focused on energy costs as well as development. An Inside Climate News investigation found that Alabama residents had the nation’s highest average residential electricity bills in 2024, the latest year with complete data at the time. Separately, the outlet’s analysis found that proposed data center campuses in Alabama could use more energy than all the state’s homes combined if built to full capacity.
Ensler has also criticized Alabama Power, the state’s major electric utility, over a dispute with Shelby County resident Fenn Church. Church is contesting the utility’s use of eminent domain to install transmission lines across his property. Alabama Power said it remains committed to treating property owners fairly and that a state Supreme Court decision allows work on the line to proceed in support of grid security and reliability.
The candidates also argued over the Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities. Ensler said Republicans had sought to reduce the public’s influence over the body. A 2026 proposal to end elections for commissioners failed after public opposition, but legislation that passed expanded the elected membership and created a governor-appointed secretary of energy, weakening the commission’s control over its agenda.
Wahl also criticized Ensler’s support for a constitutional amendment to have voters elect the governor and lieutenant governor together. Ensler said such a change would require voter approval. Neither candidate discussed climate change during the debate.
Sources: Inside Climate News.