¶ Overview
- Marques was against a moratorium on data centers and said “there’s plenty of places in Alabama for a data center” all while being supported by a pro-big tech super PAC. Alabamians in the 2nd district have protested against data centers they felt they had limited ability to stop.
¶ Marques Supported Unpopular Data Centers That Would Hurt Alabama
¶ Marques Supported Data Centers
[VIDEO] Marques Said Data Centers Were Coming Regardless Of People’s Opinion On Them And Said “There's Plenty Of Places In Alabama For A Data Center.” According to Rhett Marques at a candidate forum, “MODERATOR: Okay, next one, one minute. Question. Do you support AI data centers in Alabama and why or why not? […] MARQUES: Well, first of all, they’re coming. Every time you use a phone, you're using AI. There's a reason why the president wants data centers in this country because he knows that we've got to stay ahead of the ChiComs. We cannot allow them to beat us on this. Now, having said that, this year in the legislature, we passed a bill that put the burden upon the data center to pay for the grid, the water, etc., to make sure that it did not go to the people, to make sure that the money to build them was strictly on that business, not on the people. It is, I believe, up to the locals, whether they want it or not. There's plenty of places in Alabama for a data center, it doesn't necessarily have to be sitting in Dothan or wherever. There's plenty of rural land and there's plenty of spots for it, but it should be up to the local county and municipalities.” [Candidate Forum, 7/28/26]
[VIDEO] When Talking About Data Centers, Marques Said It Was A “Local Issue” And Said “I Don't Think The State And The Feds Need To Put A Moratorium On It.” According to Rhett Marques on Rightside Media, “HOST: So we've talked about this a lot. And even our first group Op-Ed about it, about flock cameras. I also think it bleeds into data centers as well, because it's all about data. What are your thoughts on both of those issues? MARQUES: Well, you know, I believe in the Fourth Amendment right to privacy and flock cameras do concern me. You know, it's collecting data that never goes away. I understand that we need to make sure that we protect the citizens of this country from under the Biden administration, people came across unvetted. Ten, 20 million people. Who knows how many? There were some bad people. Bad, bad people that came across the border. And we need to protect the citizens of this country. So I get the law enforcement side of that. But I also think that we have to protect the people's right to privacy under the Fourth Amendment. As far as data centers, that is, I believe it is a local issue. Okay. So what I'm on right now is using data center stuff and what you do with your podcast, it uses AI, it's coming, it's growing. I believe that President Trump is right. We have got to stay in front of the ChiComs in the technology war and it is a technology war. But we also have to be respectful for the people who don't want the data centers in their counties and then their municipalities. But I think it should be a local issue. I don't think the state and the feds need to put a moratorium on it or force it. It needs to be a local. There's plenty of room in Alabama and plenty of counties, municipalities that want a data center because of the amount of revenue it generates, you know, for property tax, it generates an enormous amount of money. I personally don't want one next to me, but, there are other places in the state that do want it, and they should have that right. I believe in the free market. The free market should reign.” [Rightside Media, 8/7/26]
[VIDEO] Marques Admitted That He Would Not Want A Data Center Next To Him But Said “There Are Other Places In The State That Do Want It, And They Should Have That Right.” According to Rhett Marques on Rightside Media, “HOST: So we've talked about this a lot. And even our first group Op-Ed about it, about flock cameras. I also think it bleeds into data centers as well, because it's all about data. What are your thoughts on both of those issues? MARQUES: Well, you know, I believe in the Fourth Amendment right to privacy and flock cameras do concern me. You know, it's collecting data that never goes away. I understand that we need to make sure that we protect the citizens of this country from under the Biden administration, people came across unvetted. Ten, 20 million people. Who knows how many? There were some bad people. Bad, bad people that came across the border. And we need to protect the citizens of this country. So I get the law enforcement side of that. But I also think that we have to protect the people's right to privacy under the Fourth Amendment. As far as data centers, that is, I believe it is a local issue. Okay. So what I'm on right now is using data center stuff and what you do with your podcast, it uses AI, it's coming, it's growing. I believe that President Trump is right. We have got to stay in front of the ChiComs in the technology war and it is a technology war. But we also have to be respectful for the people who don't want the data centers in their counties and then their municipalities. But I think it should be a local issue. I don't think the state and the feds need to put a moratorium on it or force it. It needs to be a local. There's plenty of room in Alabama and plenty of counties, municipalities that want a data center because of the amount of revenue it generates, you know, for property tax, it generates an enormous amount of money. I personally don't want one next to me, but, there are other places in the state that do want it, and they should have that right. I believe in the free market. The free market should reign.” [Rightside Media, 8/7/26]
[VIDEO] Marques Said He Agreed With President Trump “That We've Got To Stay Ahead Of The ChiComs” When It Comes To AI And Data Centers. According to Rhett Marques at a candidate forum, “MODERATOR: Okay, next one, one minute. Question. Do you support AI data centers in Alabama and why or why not? […] MARQUES: Well, first of all, they’re coming. Every time you use a phone, you're using AI. There's a reason why the president wants data centers in this country because he knows that we've got to stay ahead of the ChiComs. We cannot allow them to beat us on this. Now, having said that, this year in the legislature, we passed a bill that put the burden upon the data center to pay for the grid, the water, etc., to make sure that it did not go to the people, to make sure that the money to build them was strictly on that business, not on the people. It is, I believe, up to the locals, whether they want it or not. There's plenty of places in Alabama for a data center, it doesn't necessarily have to be sitting in Dothan or wherever. There's plenty of rural land and there's plenty of spots for it, but it should be up to the local county and municipalities.” [Candidate Forum, 7/28/26]
¶ Marques Has Been Supported By A Pro-Big Tech Super PAC
Marques Was Backed By The Defending Our Values PAC That Claimed It Supports “Republicans Who Will Challenge The Technology Industry, Protect Children And Families From Online Harm And Pursue Policies Intended To Keep The United States Ahead Of China In Artificial Intelligence.” According to Yellowhammer News, "A conservative PAC is backing State Rep. Rhett Marques as Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District draws increased national GOP attention ahead of the Republican primary. Defending Our Values PAC has selected Marques as one of the first two candidates supported through a newly announced $15 million election effort focused on artificial intelligence and Big Tech policy, Fox News Digital reported Tuesday. The group is also backing Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer in Florida’s 25th Congressional District. Both candidates are competing in crowded Republican primaries for seats the organization views as important to maintaining the GOP majority in the U.S. House. Defending Our Values says it supports Republicans who will challenge the technology industry, protect children and families from online harm and pursue policies intended to keep the United States ahead of China in artificial intelligence. The organization is led by former U.S. Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah). Fox reported that the PAC selected Marques because it believes he would be a strong advocate on those issues in Congress. Its spending is intended to help him through the Republican primary while building his name recognition before the November general election. The organization has not disclosed how much of its overall $15 million effort will be spent in Alabama." [Yellowhammer News, 7/22/26]
The Group Will Be Spending $15 Million On Upcoming Elections But It Had Not Disclosed “How Much Of Its Overall $15 Million Effort Will Be Spent In Alabama.” According to Yellowhammer News, "A conservative PAC is backing State Rep. Rhett Marques as Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District draws increased national GOP attention ahead of the Republican primary. Defending Our Values PAC has selected Marques as one of the first two candidates supported through a newly announced $15 million election effort focused on artificial intelligence and Big Tech policy, Fox News Digital reported Tuesday. The group is also backing Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer in Florida’s 25th Congressional District. Both candidates are competing in crowded Republican primaries for seats the organization views as important to maintaining the GOP majority in the U.S. House. Defending Our Values says it supports Republicans who will challenge the technology industry, protect children and families from online harm and pursue policies intended to keep the United States ahead of China in artificial intelligence. The organization is led by former U.S. Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah). Fox reported that the PAC selected Marques because it believes he would be a strong advocate on those issues in Congress. Its spending is intended to help him through the Republican primary while building his name recognition before the November general election. The organization has not disclosed how much of its overall $15 million effort will be spent in Alabama." [Yellowhammer News, 7/22/26]
¶ Data Centers Increased Electricity Rates And Consumed Exorbitant Amounts Of Water
¶ Data Centers Increased Electricity Costs
May 2026: Power Prices For PJM Interconnection Increased Nearly 76 Percent In The First Quarter Of 2026. According to E&E News, “Power prices in the nation’s largest grid market jumped almost 76 percent in the first quarter year-over-year, showcasing how energy demand driven by data centers is remaking the economy across the mid-Atlantic and Midwest. Monitoring Analytics, the independent monitor for the regional grid, PJM Interconnection, said Thursday that the total cost of wholesale power in the region increased to $136.53 per megawatt-hour in the first three months of the year, up from $77.78 during the same quarter in 2025. The findings highlight the inflationary pressures facing residents of multiple battleground states heading into midterm elections. ‘The price impacts on customers have been very large and are not reversible,’ the market monitor said. ’The price impacts will be even larger in the near term unless the issues associated with data center load are addressed in a timely manner.’” [E&E News, 5/15/26]
- The Increase In Power Prices Was Caused By Both The Actual And Expected Growth Of Data Centers. According to E&E News, “Actual and expected growth of large data centers for powering artificial intelligence are driving electricity prices higher. That has contributed to a growing disconnect between electricity supply and demand inside PJM. The report noted that data center load included in PJM’s last two future capacity auctions translated into a $13 billion cost increase for customers across the sprawling grid. PJM, which is overseen by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, covers more than 67 million people in all or part of 13 states, including the world’s largest concentration of data centers in Virginia. PJM executives have been been under pressure from governors, utility leaders and FERC Chair Laura Swett to change how it operates, considering the power demands of AI.” [E&E News, 5/15/26]
- PJM Interconnection Announced The Region It Served Could Run Short On Electricity As Soon As Next Year With The Amount Of Electricity Used By Data Centers. According to E&E News, “The region could run short on electricity supply as early as next year. In a white paper this month, the grid operator warned the push for data centers is clashing with the retirement of coal and gas plants, higher costs for new generators and an outdated interconnection process. It recommended three options to address the challenges, including requiring utilities and suppliers to make longer-term commitments to secure power. In an emailed statement, PJM spokesperson Jeff Shields said the rising prices outlined in the report ‘are an accurate indication of the tightening supply and demand condition in the wholesale markets and the markets are functioning correctly by appropriately reflecting these conditions.’” [E&E News, 5/15/26]
- July 2025: Planned Data Centers In Pennsylvania Were Already Raising Electricity Costs Due To The Price To Secure Power-Generating Capacity In PJM Interconnection’s Regional Grid. According to the Allegheny Front, “There are dozens of data centers in the Pittsburgh region. So far, they haven’t been cause for alarm. But the potential for new, larger data centers are already having an impact on your electric bill, said Elizabeth Marx of the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project, pointing to the recent increase in electricity rates that took effect in June. Duquesne Light’s default electric rate jumped about 15% while West Penn Power’s rose 9%. Those increases were due in part to the price to secure power-generating capacity in the regional electric grid that covers Pennsylvania. The grid operator, PJM, holds auctions during which power plants offer bids of what it will cost for them to be available to meet future needs. Those costs are paid by utilities and, ultimately, customers. Last year’s auction to secure power for 2025-26 reached a total cost of nearly $14.7 billion. The cost to guarantee electricity for the previous year was $2.2 billion. In 2024, PJM initially forecasted that large users, including data centers, could increase from less than 10,000 megawatts of use currently to about 20,000 megawatts by 2030. After several utilities requested an adjustment based on requests from companies to connect, PJM found that large load users could actually demand around 32,000 MW by 2030.” [Allegheny Front, 7/15/25]
An Analysis From Bloomberg Found Electricity Costs Near Data Centers Were 267% More For A Single Month Compared To Five Years Prior. According to Bloomberg, “A Bloomberg News analysis of wholesale electricity prices for tens of thousands of locations across the country reveals the effects of the AI boom on the power market with unprecedented granularity. The locations and prices were tracked and aggregated monthly by Grid Status, an energy data analytics platform. Bloomberg analyzed this data in relation to data center locations, from DC Byte, and found that electricity now costs as much as 267% more for a single month than it did five years ago in areas located near significant data center activity.” [Bloomberg, 9/29/25]
A 2024 Report From The United States Department Of Energy Found Data Centers Consumed About 4.4% Of Total U.S. Electricity In 2023 And Were Expected To Consume Approximately 6.7 To 12% Of Total U.S. Electricity By 2028. According to U.S. Department of Energy, “The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the publication of the 2024 Report on U.S. Data Center Energy Use produced by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) which outlines the energy use of data centers from 2014 to 2028. […] The report finds that data centers consumed about 4.4% of total U.S. electricity in 2023 and are expected to consume approximately 6.7 to 12% of total U.S. electricity by 2028. The report indicates that total data center electricity usage climbed from 58 TWh in 2014 to 176 TWh in 2023 and estimates an increase between 325 to 580 TWh by 2028.” [U.S. Department of Energy, 12/20/24]
¶ Residential Electricity Prices Rapidly Increased As The Price Data Centers Paid Only Increased Slightly
An Analysis Found Data Centers And Other Commercial Electricity Users Were Consuming More Kilowatts Than Ever But The Price They Paid For That Electricity Had Risen Only A Little, While Residential Electricity Prices In The U.S. Increased By 25% Between 2020 And 2024. According to Yale Climate Connections, “Electricity prices in the U.S. are rising sharply, but the burden of rising bills isn’t evenly distributed. A Yale Climate Connections analysis of electricity prices has found that data centers and other commercial electricity users are consuming more kilowatts than ever, but the price they pay for that electricity has risen only a little. And industrial users of electricity are actually paying lower prices, on average, than they were two years ago. But between 2020 and 2024, residential electricity prices in the U.S. increased by 25%. In other words, people using their toasters, laptops, and electric heating and cooking at home are paying ever-increasing prices, while the data centers that are driving rapid growth in electricity demand are scoring handsome discounts.”
[Yale Climate Connections, 1/5/26]
¶ The Electricity Demand From Data Centers Consumed A Substantial Amount Of Water
2023: The Indirect Water Consumption Footprint Of U.S. Data Centers, Calculated From Their Electricity Usage, Was Approximately 211 Billion Gallons. According to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, “A federal report estimated that the indirect water consumption footprint (from electricity use) of data centers in the United States was roughly 211 billion gallons in 2023. Given that 176 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity were consumed by data centers in 2023, the centers’ indirect water consumption can be estimated at 1.2 gallons per kWh on average nationally in 2023. As data centers are expected to consume up to 1,050 TWh annually by 2030, water usage will increase in parallel.” [Environmental and Energy Study Institute, 6/25/25]
According To The International Energy Agency, A Hyperscale Data Center Had The Capacity To Consume As Much Electricity Annually As 100,000 Households. According to the International Energy Agency, “At the same time, AI is also energy intensive. Globally, data centres consumed around 1.5% of electricity consumption in 2024. AI is only one of a range of workloads that data centres perform, but in anticipation of growing demand for AI-related services, investment in data centres is growing rapidly and the size of the largest data centres is increasing. In terms of power draw, a conventional data centre may be around 10-25 megawatts (MW) in size. A hyperscale, AI-focused data centre can have a capacity of 100 MW or more, consuming as much electricity annually as 100 000 households. AI-focused data centres are increasing in size to accommodate larger and larger models and growing demand for AI services. Data centres tend to be highly concentrated in spatial terms, posing significant challenges to local grids given their substantial power draw.” [International Energy Agency, Viewed 5/15/26]
¶ Conventional Data Centers Could Use As Much Water As A Small Town, And Hyperscale Data Centers Had The Capacity To Consume Several Times The Amount Of A Conventional Center
According To The Environmental And Energy Study Institute, Medium Sized Data Centers Could Consume As Much Water As A Small Town While Larger Data Centers Could Require Up To 5 Million Gallons Of Water Per Day. According to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, “A medium-sized data center can consume up to roughly 110 million gallons of water per year for cooling purposes, equivalent to the annual water usage of approximately 1,000 households. Larger data centers can each ‘drink’ up to 5 million gallons per day, or about 1.8 billion annually, usage equivalent to a town of 10,000 to 50,000 people. Together, the nation’s 5,426 data centers consume billions of gallons of water annually. One report estimated that U.S. data centers consume 449 million gallons of water per day and 163.7 billion gallons annually (as of 2021). A 2016 report found that fewer than one-third of data center operators track water consumption. Water consumption is expected to continue increasing as data centers grow in number, size, and complexity.” [Environmental and Energy Study Institute, 6/25/25]
- Data Center Water Usage Risked Overwhelming Local Wastewater Facilities And Power Plans Due To Their High Consumption Rate. According to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, “Approximately 80% of the water (typically freshwater) withdrawn by data centers evaporates, with the remaining water discharged to municipal wastewater facilities. The large volume of wastewater from data centers may overwhelm existing local facilities, which were not designed to handle such a high volume. Besides on-site water consumption, a significant portion of data center water usage originates from the power facilities where they obtain their energy. Because 56% of the electricity used to power data centers nationwide comes from fossil fuels, a significant portion of data center water consumption is derived from steam-generating power plants. Fossil fuel power plants rely on large boilers filled with water that is superheated by natural gas or coal to produce steam, which in turn rotates a turbine and generates electricity. Water withdrawals from these power plants are a significant source of water stress, particularly in drought-prone areas and in the summer, when water levels are lower and electricity demands are higher.” [Environmental and Energy Study Institute, 6/25/25]
2023: The Indirect Water Consumption Footprint Of U.S. Data Centers, Calculated From Their Electricity Usage, Was Approximately 211 Billion Gallons. According to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, “A federal report estimated that the indirect water consumption footprint (from electricity use) of data centers in the United States was roughly 211 billion gallons in 2023. Given that 176 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity were consumed by data centers in 2023, the centers’ indirect water consumption can be estimated at 1.2 gallons per kWh on average nationally in 2023. As data centers are expected to consume up to 1,050 TWh annually by 2030, water usage will increase in parallel.” [Environmental and Energy Study Institute, 6/25/25]
According To The International Energy Agency, A Hyperscale Data Center Had The Capacity To Consume As Much Electricity Annually As 100,000 Households. According to the International Energy Agency, “At the same time, AI is also energy intensive. Globally, data centres consumed around 1.5% of electricity consumption in 2024. AI is only one of a range of workloads that data centres perform, but in anticipation of growing demand for AI-related services, investment in data centres is growing rapidly and the size of the largest data centres is increasing. In terms of power draw, a conventional data centre may be around 10-25 megawatts (MW) in size. A hyperscale, AI-focused data centre can have a capacity of 100 MW or more, consuming as much electricity annually as 100 000 households. AI-focused data centres are increasing in size to accommodate larger and larger models and growing demand for AI services. Data centres tend to be highly concentrated in spatial terms, posing significant challenges to local grids given their substantial power draw.” [International Energy Agency, Viewed 5/15/26]
¶ Alabamians in Marques’ District Opposed Data Centers
Residents In Lowndes County Have Organized And Protested Against A Proposed $1.5 Billion Data Center That Would Span 1050 Acres. According to AL.Com, "John Urquhart had grandchildren in mind when he bought 230 acres in a small neighborhood in rural Alabama. Urquhart still works, but his wife, Gina, retired from the nearby veterans’ hospital in Montgomery. They built a barndominium, stocked ponds with bass and bream, marked out a field for dove hunting and left space next door for their daughter to construct her own house. Driving along his property line as a neighbor baled hay, Urquhart mused about teaching his grandsons to plant grain or raise calves. ‘This property was going to be my legacy to them,’ he said, ‘and now there’s this monstrosity that could be going up a hundred yards away.’ He’s talking about plans for a massive data center next door to the 54-home neighborhood where he lives in Lowndes County. The $1.5 billion project has grown to 1,050 acres, or about 750 football fields. Project Red Clay, organized by the speculative company Cloverleaf, is one of about a dozen proposed data center sites across Alabama, where local communities have limited ability to stop the projects. This spring, residents in Hayneville, a town of about 700, across Lowndes County, organized to fight back against the data center. They made yard signs and printed T- shirts that say 45Strong, a reference to the county car tag. They have questions about power bills, water usage, wastewater management, noise and construction. […] Other politicians are weighing in. State Rep. Rhett Marques, who is running to be the Republican to represent Lowndes County in Congress, said he supports a pledge from President Donald Trump to control costs of data center development. And he said communities should be able to decide if they get a data center, though he did not specify how to give them more control in those discussions. " [AL.com, 8/9/26]
Residents Protesting Against The Data Center Had “Questions About Power Bills, Water Usage, Wastewater Management, Noise And Construction” And Felt They Had “Limited Ability” To Stop The Proposed Data Center. According to AL.Com, "John Urquhart had grandchildren in mind when he bought 230 acres in a small neighborhood in rural Alabama. Urquhart still works, but his wife, Gina, retired from the nearby veterans’ hospital in Montgomery. They built a barndominium, stocked ponds with bass and bream, marked out a field for dove hunting and left space next door for their daughter to construct her own house. Driving along his property line as a neighbor baled hay, Urquhart mused about teaching his grandsons to plant grain or raise calves. ‘This property was going to be my legacy to them,’ he said, ‘and now there’s this monstrosity that could be going up a hundred yards away.’ He’s talking about plans for a massive data center next door to the 54-home neighborhood where he lives in Lowndes County. The $1.5 billion project has grown to 1,050 acres, or about 750 football fields. Project Red Clay, organized by the speculative company Cloverleaf, is one of about a dozen proposed data center sites across Alabama, where local communities have limited ability to stop the projects. This spring, residents in Hayneville, a town of about 700, across Lowndes County, organized to fight back against the data center. They made yard signs and printed T- shirts that say 45Strong, a reference to the county car tag. They have questions about power bills, water usage, wastewater management, noise and construction. […] Other politicians are weighing in. State Rep. Rhett Marques, who is running to be the Republican to represent Lowndes County in Congress, said he supports a pledge from President Donald Trump to control costs of data center development. And he said communities should be able to decide if they get a data center, though he did not specify how to give them more control in those discussions. " [AL.com, 8/9/26]