On a sweltering Wednesday afternoon in Westover, Alabama, residents are grappling with the news that a cluster of proposed data centers could soon consume more electricity than all residential homes in the state combined. An analysis released this week by regional watchdogs projects that these facilities—backed by Alabama Power—would require upwards of 9 terawatt-hours annually, a figure that dwarfs the 8.7 TWh used by Alabama households last year.

Local marketing designer Shannon Vanden Heuvel, who spoke to SDG Talking near her neighborhood’s community pool, voiced skepticism about the utility’s assurances that ratepayers won’t bear the brunt of these infrastructure costs. “We keep seeing ads promising clean energy and lower bills, but nobody’s explained how our monthly charges won’t go up if these data centers move forward,” she said, referencing Alabama Power’s recent media blitz during the August heatwave.

Alabama Power, the state’s largest utility, has confirmed ongoing negotiations with several unnamed technology firms. While company spokespeople claim that customers won’t be responsible for the new power lines or grid upgrades needed to support the data centers, state regulators have yet to publish detailed cost-sharing agreements. The Public Service Commission, meeting later this month in Montgomery, is expected to review proposals that could lock in rates through 2029.

The debate is unfolding against the backdrop of soaring summer electricity demand and ongoing discussions about Alabama’s renewable energy targets. Advocates for climate action argue that the state’s heavy reliance on fossil fuel generation—still over 65% of the mix as of July—could be exacerbated by the expansion, undermining SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) goals for the region. Meanwhile, business lobbyists have touted the data center projects as a path to long-term job creation and digital infrastructure growth.

With the next round of public hearings set for late August, stakeholders are pressing for greater transparency on both the environmental impacts and the financial risks for ratepayers. As the summer peak continues, the question of who pays—and who benefits—remains unresolved in Alabama’s data-driven power play.