About a dozen Alabama communities are navigating proposed data center projects.
Some local cities — such as Birmingham, Leeds, Homewood and Cullman — have enacted short-term moratoriums. Local counties and unincorporated areas have few tools to address the projects.
Some officials and candidates have called for statewide action. Former Sen. Doug Jones, who is the Democratic nominee for governor, has called for a one-year moratorium while the state works out more rules for land, energy and water use. (Opponent Sen. Tommy Tuberville has stated support for data centers)…