BW Recommends is a rundown of stories you might have missed this week. It offers insight into issues important to our area and sometimes tickles your curiosity. Soon we’ll be offering Recommends via email. Sign up here to receive it. You can also sign up for The WeeklyWatch, the stories we’ve published over the previous seven days, and Monday Morning Watch, a roundup of public meetings scheduled for that week.
Data Center Dilemma (WBHM)
WBHM took an in-depth look at data centers as the debate over their development hit new highs in recent months, with more than a dozen projects underway or proposed across the state. That surge in data center development is driven in part by the explosive growth of generative AI like ChatGPT and Claude. While backers of data centers tout them as boosters to the community, bringing jobs and tax dollars, public opposition continues to increase over environmental concerns and a lack of transparency from developers and political leaders.
Read WBHM’s week-long series:
5 things you need to know about data centers
What’s it like to live next to Elon Musk’s ‘Colossus Cluster’
What are Birmingham’s rules for data centers?
Experts weigh in on banning facilities and other legal questions
What Nebius has to say about its controversial Birmingham project
Look inside Coca-Cola United’s new Birmingham campus (Bham Now)
Coca-Cola Bottling Company United is moving into its new 576,000-square-foot facility in Birmingham’s Kingston community in preparation to launch operations there Sept. 14. See photos of the new city landmark shot during a tour last week.
Coast Guard holds first graduation at Birmingham-Southern campus (WBRC News)
The U.S. Coast Guard hosted its first graduation for its leadership and management school Friday morning at the Birmingham-Southern campus. Twenty-nine men and women graduated from the school after attending classes on campus for a week. Officials said they will continue working to convert the site to a training facility to expand the campus’ offerings.
Jones outraises Tuberville in August; Tuberville retains large funding edge (Alabama Reflector)
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Doug Jones outraised Republican nominee Sen. Tommy Tuberville in August, according to campaign finance reports. Jones raised $1.1 million while Tuberville raised $848,500 last month. However, Tuberville retains a substantial fundraising edge, finishing the month with $9.5 million on hand to Jones’ $2.5 million. Other Democrats and Republicans running for statewide offices largely kept pace with each other in August.
Alabama Public Service Commission lowers rate of return for energy company (Alabama Reflector)
The state commission regulating investor-owned utilities Tuesday reduced the rate of return that Spire Alabama can earn. The Alabama Public Service Commission authorized Spire to receive a return on equity of 9.4% for the next two years – 1.1% less than it requested and lower than what it currently collects. But commissioners also authorized the company to increase its monthly charge on customers by a total of $5 per month in phases. In tandem, the moves are expected to leave customers’ utility bills steady for now.
Alabama Republican Party welcomes Reid Harris as executive director (Alabama Political Reporter)
ALGOP announced Thursday that Reid Harris will serve as its new executive director, bringing experience in law, public policy, state government and strategic leadership to the party. Harris most recently served as general counsel at BHA Strategy and previously served as deputy general counsel to Gov. Kay Ivey and as an assistant attorney general in the state Attorney General’s Office.
