Baldwin County Democrats Unite Against Proposed Stockton Solar Farm, Citing Environmental and Community Concerns

Baldwin County, AL (BuzzReport) — Democratic candidates running for state and county offices in Baldwin County’s 2026 midterm elections are publicly opposing a proposed 4,500-acre solar farm near Stockton, aligning themselves with a growing grassroots movement seeking to halt what residents describe as an unprecedented threat to one of Alabama’s most ecologically sensitive regions.

The proposed project would clear roughly seven square miles of land near the Mobile-Tensaw Delta—often referred to by conservationists as “Alabama’s Amazon”—to generate electricity intended to power a data center in Montgomery. Local residents and Democratic leaders argue the scale and location of the project pose irreversible risks to wetlands, wildlife habitats, and surrounding communities.

“While our Republican lawmakers pay lip service to those rejecting seven square miles of clear-cutting and damage to our wetlands, they all voted for, or didn’t vote on, the recently passed state bill limiting the Alabama Department of Environmental Management’s ability to impose environmental regulations,” said Robyn Monaghan, chair of the Baldwin County Democratic Party.

At the center of the dispute is Alabama Senate Bill 71, which restricts state agencies, including the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, from adopting environmental rules that exceed federal standards. Critics argue the measure weakens local oversight at a time when federal environmental protections are being scaled back.

The bill passed with the support of Republican lawmakers, including State Sen. Chris Elliott and State Sen. Greg Albritton. State Rep. Matt Simpson was absent for the vote. The legislation follows a broader national trend under the administration of Donald Trump, which has included rolling back clean energy incentives, granting tax breaks to fossil fuel interests, and weakening oversight of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Democratic candidates stress that their opposition is not to renewable energy itself, but to what they call irresponsible siting.

“Solar energy, though a needed energy source, needs to be sited responsibly on flat, former agricultural land—not at the expense of our precious, fragile, irreplaceable ecosystems,” said Terri Osborne, Democratic candidate for Alabama House District 96.

The proposal has galvanized local residents. Roughly 300 neighboring property owners attended a town hall meeting on Feb. 9 to voice concerns over deforestation, flooding risks, and declining property values in rural Stockton.

“I am not against solar energy. It has been proven to be a cleaner source of energy,” said Ashley Sharpe, who is challenging Albritton in Senate District 22. “But we must be smarter with how and where we invest in solar energy. What makes Alabama so unique is our land. We cannot allow big tech and their ever-growing greed to destroy our most valuable asset.”

Opponents also point to the developer’s history. Nashville-based Nashville Silicon Ranch has previously faced criticism and legal action in Georgia related to alleged environmental negligence, including reported damage to wetlands and private property. While the company expressed regret in that case, residents say accountability remains a concern.

“If you’re going to make decisions that will drastically impact property values, the people most affected should be the first to hear about these changes,” Sharpe said. “We deserve more from our elected officials than quiet dealings with giant corporations.”

Concerns extend beyond the environment to infrastructure and governance. Janet Appleby, a Democratic candidate for Senate District 22, said Baldwin County’s rapid growth is already outpacing its roads, utilities, and public services.

“Southern Alabama is a state treasure, generating huge income in tourism money,” Appleby said. “That’s something lawmakers and regulating agencies should keep in mind before green-lighting anything that destroys that. It appears the Public Service Commission may have fast-tracked this project without allowing adequate time for public comment.”

County-level candidates have echoed those concerns. Drew Arredondo, a Democrat running for the Baldwin County Commission District 4 seat being vacated by Charles Guber, warned of long-term ecological consequences.

“This project threatens to disrupt the local ecosystem, potentially harming wildlife, water tables, and drainage flow,” Arredondo said. “The supposed benefits—such as energizing a META Data Center—are not worth sacrificing our natural habitat.”

Roy Browning, Democratic candidate for County Commission District 3, agreed, questioning the tangible benefits for local residents.

“The solar farm poses a huge environmental risk without answering the critical question: What does Baldwin County stand to gain from this?” he said.

As the 2026 midterm elections approach, the proposed Stockton solar farm has emerged as a defining issue in Baldwin County politics—pitting economic development promises against environmental preservation, local control, and the future character of one of Alabama’s most treasured landscapes.