Florida GOP lawmaker and governor candidate says AI data center legislation keeps utility costs down
The proposal follows a statewide backlash as more than 20 Florida counties and municipalities have rejected major data centers over utility bills and environmental concerns.
- On Monday, Florida GOP gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds announced the Protecting Ratepayers Act, legislation requiring large-scale data centers to independently source their own electricity and water rather than relying on public utility systems.
- More than 20 Florida counties have rejected or banned major data center construction, with residents and local leaders citing concerns over increased utility bills, environmental damage, and community disruption.
- Republican candidate James Fishback and Democrat David Jolly have both made data center opposition central to their gubernatorial campaigns, while Cato Institute fellow Travis Fisher notes firms fear losing their 'social license to operate.'
- Strategist Matt Gorman warned that tech firms must "tell a better story" to address bipartisan concerns or face mandated restrictions from lawmakers of both parties, reflecting mounting political pressure on the industry.
- Seeking to succeed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who signed similar cost-sharing legislation in May, Donalds pledged to prioritize data center efficiency and relocate facilities away from population centers if elected.
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24 Articles
U.S. Rep. Donalds introduces Protecting Ratepayers Act to shield Americans from data center utility costs
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds introduced legislation Monday that would require data centers to generate their own power and water, a proposal he says would protect American ratepayers from higher utility bills driven by the explosive growth of artificial intelligence infrastructure. The Protecting Ratepayers Act would mandate that entities building, owning or operating data… The post U.S. Rep. Donalds introduces Protecting Ratepayers Act …
Proposed legislation would shift utility costs for new data centers
Major League Baseball is restricting iPad usage in dugouts to prevent the tablets from running artificial intelligence to help make strategy decisions, and former reliever Adam Ottavino said the New York Mets' use of technology helped prompt the move.
Florida GOP Rep. Donalds Says AI Data Center Legislation ...
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