Maria Alvarez
Candidate for U.S. Senate · Georgia. Party: Democrat.
Campaign website: mariaalvarez2026.org. Linking to a campaign website is not an endorsement.
Answers on data centers
Written by the candidate and published exactly as submitted. We do not edit, shorten or correct these answers.
Disclosure
Before a data center is approved, what should the public be entitled to know about it?
The end user/tenant, what the facility will power, and who it serves
Cost allocation
When a data center requires grid or infrastructure upgrades, who should bear the cost?
The data center, through dedicated rates or direct payment
Tax incentives
How should tax abatements or incentives for data centers be handled?
Disclosed in full and approved by public vote before any agreement
Accountability
If a data center fails to meet conditions set during approval or operation, what response do you favor?
Enforce the penalties already written into the permit
Pace
What is the right pace for data center development in your community?
Approve case by case under current rules
Water (supply and quality)
Which approach do you support for a proposed data center's impact on water?
The company must prove, through public hearing, comment, and independent research, that water impacts do not change the quantity and quality considerably, if it can't, the project is denied
Land and farmland
Which approach do you support for a proposed data center's impact on land and farmland?
Hold a public hearing and weigh the evidence case by case, with no presumption for or against
Air quality and emissions
Which approach do you support for a proposed data center's impact on air quality?
The company must prove, through public hearing, comment, and independent research, that air impacts stay within acceptable limits, based on the current understanding of air quality and the changes the project will make, if it can't, the project is denied
Noise
Which approach do you support for a proposed data center's impact from noise?
Hold a public hearing and weigh the evidence case by case, with no presumption for or against
Community character and quality of life
Which approach do you support for a proposed data center's impact on community character and quality of life?
Hold a public hearing and weigh the evidence case by case, with no presumption for or against
Disaster accountability
Scientists have found the increase in extreme disasters like wildfires and floods are in fact created by polluting and negligent industries, so how would you hold them accountable for the costs?
The company must pay for their costs that are associated with increases in climate-related disasters in the area
Recovery aid equity
What would you do to ensure that government recovery aid is based on people's need for support, rather than who has wealth and influence?
Increase reporting mechanisms to communities to highlight aid assistance in different places
Clean energy access
What would you do to ensure communities have reliable access to cheaper and cleaner energy choices?
Invest in more renewable and clean energy projects, if the overall investments make sense
Disaster resilience
What will you do to keep the lights on, the water running, and the roads open before a disaster strikes rather than just responding after?
Hold a public hearing to weigh what the priorities are and decide which infrastructure project should be considered most important for disaster planning
Energy affordability
Given the rising price of energy and the number of people trading off rent and food for utility bills, how do we give everyone the dignity of being able to afford their energy bills?
Hold a public hearing and weigh the evidence case by case, with no presumption for or against changing any existing utility actions