The Alabama Public Service Commission has approved a new set of rules for future data center projects, requiring greater transparency and disclosure from data center companies. The rules also mandate public votes by the PSC for data center approval, marking a shift toward more oversight.
However, the rules leave in place a loophole that could undermine their impact. While the specifics of the loophole are not detailed in the report, its existence means that some data center projects may still bypass the stricter requirements.
This development reflects a growing tension between attracting large-scale tech infrastructure and ensuring public accountability. The new rules apply only to future projects, leaving existing arrangements untouched, but the loophole raises questions about how effectively the regulations will be enforced.