Alabama Senate Candidate Mike Van Urges Safeguards for Proposed Stockton Development

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. — “Let me be clear: I am 100% against this project and stand with the people of Stockton in their right to decide what happens in their community,” said Mike Van, candidate for Alabama State Senate District 32. “I’m looking at ways to prevent projects like this from happening in the future through lawful, responsible safeguards.”

Van issued this revised statement after hearing continued feedback from residents and stakeholders across Baldwin County.

“I’m grateful for the feedback I’ve been receiving,” Van added. “I’m learning more each day, and I welcome the insight of the people who live here and care deeply about this community.”

Van is closely following the proposed large-scale solar farm near Stockton after attending the recent town hall and hearing concerns from residents across Baldwin County. The facility is expected to span approximately 4,500 acres, including significant wetland areas, and would generate power for a planned Meta data center.

Van says projects of this scale require thoughtful planning, clear standards, and local oversight to ensure growth balances the protection of communities, infrastructure, and natural resources.

“I’m hearing from folks all over Baldwin County who are asking real questions about land use, environmental impact, drainage, and what a project this size could mean for their daily lives,” Van said. “People want transparency and a real voice in decisions that affect their future.”

Van noted that an often-overlooked fact is that Alabama already has a legal framework for regulating large-scale energy facilities. In 2013, the Legislature passed Act 2013-440, granting the Baldwin County Commission authority to regulate and establish fee schedules for wind-energy facilities. The law was designed to give local governments tools and guardrails when new types of large energy infrastructure projects emerge.

Van believes this existing law provides a starting point for addressing modern projects of unprecedented scale.

“The 2013 law recognized that large energy facilities can have major local impacts,” Van said. “Because it already covers wind-energy facilities, it could be updated to include other utility-scale energy projects — such as a solar farm intended to power a data center — so counties have clear authority to regulate location, environmental safeguards, and community protections.”

Van emphasized that exploring this legal pathway is about preventing future conflicts and ensuring local communities are protected.

“If I’m elected, I will make it a priority to ensure Baldwin County has the tools it needs to manage growth responsibly,” he said. “We can protect our communities, respect local voices, and safeguard our natural resources while ensuring any future development is handled transparently and responsibly.”

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