STOCKTON, Ala. (NBC 15) — An NBC 15 Reality Check Investigation has uncovered questions about the speed and transparency of the Alabama Public Service Commission’s approval of two large solar projects tied to Meta Platforms, as residents in Baldwin County voice growing opposition to the development.

The Stockton I and Stockton II solar projects — designed to supply renewable energy to a Meta-affiliated data center under construction in Montgomery — were approved by the Public Service Commission on December 2, 2025. But Commission records reviewed by NBC 15 show the proposal moved from submission to staff recommendation in just seven days, and approval in 20 days, raising questions about whether statutory review requirements were met.

According to the Commission’s own order, Alabama Power submitted its proposal for the SR Stockton I and SR Stockton II solar projects on November 12, 2025. Public records show that the Commission’s Legal Division and Electricity Policy Division issued a recommendation to approve the projects on November 19 — one week later. The Commission then gave final approval, voting unanimously with no discussion, at its December 2 meeting.

NBC 15’s review of the Commission’s order also found language governing renewable project approvals that states Alabama Power “must provide project details, supporting analysis and other information concurrently to the Commission Staff and the Office of the Attorney General,” and that “[a]ll such information must be submitted not less than 30 days prior to the Commission meeting at which the specific project(s) will be considered.”

Despite that requirement, it appears that the project was submitted just 20 days before the Commission meeting at which the projects were approved.

According to the Commission’s order, during the 7-day review period PSC staff states it:

• Engaged with Alabama Power to discuss data supplied in connection with the proposed projects
• Issued numerous data requests to the company
• Reviewed Alabama Power’s responses to those data requests
• Evaluated the terms and conditions of the 25-year purchase agreements, including: energy payment structures, risk allocation, seller performance guarantees
• Analyzed Alabama Power’s projected avoided costs, with particular focus on: natural gas price forecasts, coal price forecasts, and the future impact of current and pending environmental regulations
• Assessed the direct net benefits derived from the participation contracts tied to the projects
• Reviewed and evaluated numerous economic variables within selected ranges to test reasonableness
• Modeled how changes in one or more inputs could affect projected project outcomes
• Evaluated multiple economic scenarios, including differing assumptions for: natural gas prices and carbon prices

The Stockton projects include one 80-megawatt and one 180-megawatt solar facility planned for rural Baldwin County. Alabama Power will purchase the energy under 25-year agreements, with 100 percent of the output subscribed by Dotier LLC, a Meta Platforms subsidiary.

Community Opposition Grows

NBC 15 has also documented growing opposition among Stockton residents; many of whom say they were unaware of the project until after key approvals had already been granted.

“It is very upsetting to most of Stockton,” said Susan Burger, whose family has owned land in the area for generations. Others fear the project could permanently alter the rural character of the community and open the door to further industrial development.

Opposition groups have formed online, including a Facebook page titled “Stop Solar in Stockton,” where residents have raised concerns about land use, environmental impacts, and the lack of public notice.

Some residents have also expressed concern about the project’s proximity to wetlands and the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, often referred to as “America’s Amazon,” and the potential environmental risks posed by hurricanes or flooding.

The developer, Silicon Ranch, has said it purchased approximately 4,500 acres for the project but plans to develop less than half of that land. The company has stated the solar panels pose no risk to soil or water and that construction will comply with environmental regulations.

A town hall discussion on the project has been scheduled for February 9 at 6:30pm at the Stockton Civic Center.

Unanswered Questions

NBC 15 reached out to the Public Service Commission and the Alabama Attorney General’s Office with questions regarding the 30-day submission requirement. Neither office responded before publication.

No legal challenge to the approval has been filed as of this publication.

As officials prepare for additional permitting decisions, residents say they will continue pushing for answers.

For now, the projects remain approved, with construction expected to begin within the next year and commercial operation targeted before the end of 2028.

Statement from APSC:

In actuality, Alabama Power made a submittal on October 1, 2025, regarding the Stockton I and Stockton II projects, which met the requirements of paragraph 5 of the Commission’s December 5, 2025, order, which you are referring to. The submission made by Alabama Power on November 12, 2025, provided additional information and clarified some inquiries raised by the staff in their review of the initial submission on October 1, 2025.