Florida GOP lawmaker and governor candidate says AI data center legislation keeps utility costs down
WASHINGTON (AP) — Byron Donalds, Republican congressman Running for governor of FloridaLegislation to prevent the acceleration of AI data centers was announced on Monday usage costsIt’s the latest sign of political backlash against new technology.
The proposal, if passed by Congress, would require data centers to obtain all information. electricity and water needs from private sources rather than the electrical grid or public water systems. The idea is aligned with a previous idea, voluntary initiative From President Donald Trump.
“If you talk to the guys who are building these data centers, if it means they have to absorb the cost of the services, they’re more than willing to do that,” Donalds said in an interview with The Associated Press. “It’s in their interest to make sure we can build these centers, and I think the number one way to address and address people’s concerns is to make sure their electric bills don’t go up in the process.”
Donalds’ offer is remarkable a candidate It is supported by pro-AI political action committees and Trump. The legislation comes at a time when data centers are being rapidly built across the country to meet growing demand for artificial intelligence systems. While the big technology companies at the heart of the artificial intelligence boom are rapidly becoming some of the world’s most valuable and most watched companies, the Trump administration has aligned itself with the industry’s big players.
Many major tech companies developing AI infrastructure have committed to deals with the Trump administration to cover the costs of building new power sources rather than shifting the burden to residential households. However, given the expected increase in demand, it is unclear whether the voluntary agreement is legally enforceable.
The fast pace of construction and the high risks of technology, concerns of many Americans. More than 20 counties and municipalities in Florida voted to reject the construction of large data centers, while others banned their construction for at least a year. Residents and local leaders often complain about rising utility bills, degradation of local communities, and environmental damage is among the main reasons for stoppages.
“These companies were one step behind and didn’t realize how quickly the ground was shifting from under their feet,” Republican strategist Matt Gorman said. Gorman said both progressive climate activists and conservative populists are taking up the data center issue, requiring tech firms to “tell a better story” and address concerns across the political spectrum.
“Full field work needed here,” Gorman said. “If you don’t tell this story, you will order lawmakers from both parties to do so.”
Donalds is running to replace fellow Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who signed legislation in May requiring large-scale data centers to fully cover their own energy and water costs. If elected governor, Donalds said he would focus on improving efficiency among data centers and moving facilities away from population centers.
“If they are built, we want to make sure they are built efficiently while protecting taxpayers and Florida’s water,” Donalds said. “The real public policy question for the country and the states is how do we generate baseload power for future energy demands, whether for hyperscale data centers or anything else?”
Far-right Republican gubernatorial candidate James Fishback has made opposition to data centers central to his primary challenge to Donalds. And David Jolly, a former congressman and leading Democratic candidate for governor, this month called for a moratorium on the construction of data centers.
Public companies often pursue the best deals for access to public services, said Travis Fisher of the Cato Institute. He said the desire to get a bigger bill for energy and water reflects the political pressure technology firms face.
“They’re so afraid they’re going to lose their social license, like they’re going to get kicked out of the city or banned,” Fisher said.
