What was said about data centers in Florida
121 statements from 45 speakers, grouped by who spoke. Each appears as said, with the date and the source. No verdict is attached.
From July 15, 2022 to October 4, 2026. Statements from every state are on Statements.
Data center companies 3
Developers, operators and builders of data centers and the technology companies that fill them, speaking through their staff and spokespeople. Every state.
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Project executive Adam Kramer stated the facility would not rely on Indiantown's water supply.
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Project Executive
Adam Kramer stated the project would generate $44 million a year of tax revenue from energy use going directly into infrastructure projects to support rural Martin County and Indiantown.
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chief development officer, Cloverleaf Infrastructure
Aaron Blyeu, chief development officer of Cloverleaf Infrastructure, stated typical data center projects request 75,000 gallons of water, mostly for initial system build, with ongoing use limited to offices, toilets, break rooms, and kitchens
Government 29
Officials in office, lawmakers, regulators, public agencies and courts, federal, state, tribal and local. Every state.
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Governor of Florida
Governor Ron DeSantis considers SB 484 watered down but a pretty strong first step in protecting consumers from potential harms of artificial intelligence
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Governor of Florida
Governor Ron DeSantis promoted Florida's new data center law on social media.
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Loudoun County Vice Chair and Ashburn District Supervisor
Loudoun County supervisor Mike Turner graded Loudoun a failure on five of six data center tests (noise, power, emissions, setback, appearance), with water as the only pass.
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Loudoun County Vice Chair and Ashburn District Supervisor
Loudoun County supervisor Mike Turner stated that Loudoun treated data centers as office parks in 2000, making them by right, and now has four hyperscale data centers that cannot be voted down, with by right ending on March 18, 2025.
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Republican U.S. Senator Ashley Moody says consumers should not pay costs associated with data centers and that environmental protections and local input are important
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county planner, Manatee County
Jay Stearman, county planner, stated large scale data centers require substantial water and electrical resources comparable to small municipalities and do not support many long term employment opportunities, often emitting low frequency nuisance noise.
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Manatee County Commissioner
Commissioner Amanda Ballard stated the moratorium would give staff time to fill gaps in Manatee County regulations regarding data centers, which are not adequately addressed in land development code or comprehensive plan.
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Jimmy Patronis, Florida District 1 representative, voted to advance H.R. 9430, the Ratepayer Protection Act, which would protect ratepayers from paying costs of AI data center power and grid infrastructure.
Confirmed by the record: Patronis voted Yea on H.R. 9340, U.S. House of Representatives roll call 312, September 16, 2026. Read from the statement's words: Jimmy Patronis voted for H.R. 9430. The statement gives the number as H.R. 9430; the record's Ratepayer Protection Act is H.R. 9340. Checked against the roll call the record holds on the bill, as the clerk printed it.
Bill data from LegiScan, licensed CC BY 4.0. The record chooses the bills, writes each stage in its own words and cites the legislature's own page for every bill.
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Jason Pizzo, Florida state senator, publicly opposed Avila's SB 1118 public records exemption for data center projects
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U.S. Representative (D-FL)
Rep. Kathy Castor, D Florida, is a Democratic co sponsor of the Ratepayer Protection Act.
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U.S. Representative Florida 19th District
Byron Donalds expressed strong support for Florida state law SB 484 regulating data centers pushed by Governor Ron DeSantis
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U.S. Representative Florida 19th District
Byron Donalds voted in May 2025 for the U.S. House version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which included a 10 year moratorium on enforcement of state or local regulations for artificial intelligence
Not on the record: the record holds no bill called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Read from the statement's words: Byron Donalds voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (2025). Checked against the bills and roll calls the record holds.
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U.S. Representative Florida 19th District
Byron Donalds said in June 2025 that data centers and power will be critical to Florida's future and the state should embrace data centers, not run away from them
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U.S. Representative Florida 19th District
Byron Donalds now says he no longer agrees with the national moratorium on AI regulation, calling it one provision he was not the biggest fan of
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Orange County commissioner
Commissioner Kelly Semrad requested discussion of one year or longer temporary pause on AI data center development to allow staff to study impacts
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Alex Kelly, Commerce Secretary, stated data centers are a big shiny economic development object with a lot of catches.
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Walt Trierweiler, Office of Public Counsel, said Duke's tariff proposal does not set out a distinct rate schedule for large load customers
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Taylor County Commission Chairman
Commission Chairman Jamie English said a moratorium would send the wrong message and that the county lacks rules for issuing data center permits
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Taylor County Commissioner
Commissioner Pam Feagle proposed a 12 month moratorium on data centers to allow time for land development revisions
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Okaloosa County Chairman
Okaloosa County Commissioner Trey Goodwin stated I know a lot of jurisdictions have taken the position that they either need to ban or put on moratoriums for these things, I'm concerned that is taking the wrong approach
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Florida PSC Commissioner
PSC Commissioner Mike La Rosa stated Duke's petition appears facially noncompliant with Senate Bill 484 requirements
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Volusia County council member
Troy Kent, council member, said there is nothing positive that he heard about data centers in communities
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Don Dempsey, Volusia County council member
Volusia County is highly susceptible to sinkholes, with approximately 10 percent of Florida being most susceptible and Volusia in the heart of one of those areas
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Volusia County council member
Don Dempsey, council member, said he wants the ban to be permanent and not a temporary moratorium
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Volusia County planning and development services director
Carol McFarlane, planning and development services director, said data center water and electricity impacts are huge and noise and low frequency sound pose public health concerns
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Mayor Pro Tem Doug Capps referenced approximately 1,400 acres of undeveloped land near the bypass that could require city water and sewer service and possible annexation if developed.
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U.S. Representative
U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds claimed SB 484 ensures utility rates will not go up due to data centers
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Michele Norton, assistant director Sarasota County Planning & Development Services
Hyperscale data centers use millions of gallons of water per day and their electric demand often requires governments to build new power infrastructure.
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Florida State Senator (R-Sanford)
Jason Brodeur said data centers will be one of the most important issues that lawmakers address this year.
Chief executives 2
Chief executives, presidents, founders and chairs of companies, in technology, data centers, power and elsewhere. Every state.
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Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida president
Duke Energy Florida does not currently have any large load data center customers within its service territory but has developed a proposal with safeguards requiring new data center customers to sign long term agreements, provide significant collateral, meet minimum payment requirements, and pay penalties for early termination
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Archie Collins, Tampa Electric Co. chief executive
TECO received constant calls from data center companies interested in the area
Utilities and grid operators 5
Electric utilities, cooperatives and the operators of the power grid, and the people who speak for them. Every state.
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Marc Hoenstine, Managing Director of Economic Development at Duke Energy, discussed large load customer classes for data centers
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Sherry Ambrose, director of economic development for Florida Power and Light, said if a new generator is needed for power, the data center pays 100 percent of that cost.
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Dianne Triplett, Duke Energy deputy general counsel, said the company's proposal includes a 20 year minimum commitment, significant financial assurances, early termination obligations, monthly minimum bills, and two years' notice before termination
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Dianne Triplett, Duke Energy attorney
Duke Energy Florida proposes a 20 year minimum term of service for large load customers.
Candidates and campaigns 70
People running for office, their campaigns and their parties. A candidate who does not hold the office is not an official. Every state.
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Byron Donalds, Republican candidate for Florida Governor, opposes statewide pause on data centers, arguing it sends a dangerous signal to the business community, and advocates for local government authority to decide whether a facility belongs in their community
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Republican candidate for Florida Governor
Donalds advocates for local government control over data center decisions rather than state preemption
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Republican candidate for Florida Governor
Byron Donalds opposes a statewide moratorium or ban on data center construction
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Angie Nixon, Florida Democratic Senate candidate, called for a moratorium on data center construction until more research is done.
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Angie Nixon, Florida Democratic Senate candidate, outlined a vision for data centers in Florida and called for greater accountability from Big Tech.
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Florida Democratic Senate candidate
Angie Nixon proposed that communities affected by data centers receive dividend payments similar to Alaska's natural resource distribution system.
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Florida gubernatorial candidate
Jolly suggested Byron Donalds' acceptance of donations from data center developers would lead to more data centers in Florida
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Byron Donalds, Republican gubernatorial candidate, supports data center development and said state commissioned study due back June 1, 2027.
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Richard Lamondin, Florida State Senate candidate, called for data center moratorium in Westview.
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Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Angie Nixon headlined a town hall in Fort Meade on Monday to outline federal safeguards she says should include transparency, environmental review and community input
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Nikki Fried, chair of Florida Democratic Party, said Westview community was not informed about data center construction until too late due to hidden negotiations and backroom deals.
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gubernatorial candidate
David Jolly, Democratic opponent to Donalds, has made data center resistance central to his campaign and considers an outright ban
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Republican gubernatorial candidate
Byron Donalds expressed support for letting local governments decide whether to construct data centers.
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Byron Donalds pledged to investigate the effects data centers would have on Florida communities if elected
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Byron Donalds, gubernatorial candidate, said on Fox Business Friday that local governments will maintain control over data centers in Florida and utility bills will not increase.
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Jolly heard from residents about loud noise pollution, decreased property values, and closure of restaurants and food stores due to data centers
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Byron Donalds supports local governments making their own decisions about data center developments
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Democratic gubernatorial candidate
David Jolly, Donalds' Democratic opponent, visited Northern Virginia this week and is considering an outright ban on data centers.
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Byron Donalds, Republican candidate for Florida governor, said decisions about data centers should be left to local governments
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Republican gubernatorial candidate
Byron Donalds voted in May 2025 for House measure containing 10 year moratorium on state and local AI regulations, provision later removed by Senate
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Republican gubernatorial candidate
Byron Donalds supports Florida SB 484 requiring data centers to cover service costs and utilize reclaimed water
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Naples Republican gubernatorial candidate
Donalds now says he no longer agrees with the national moratorium and was not the biggest fan of that provision
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Republican gubernatorial candidate
Byron Donalds in June 2025 said the future of Florida will be important for data centers and power as critical things for the state
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Naples Republican gubernatorial candidate
Byron Donalds voted in May 2025 for the U.S. House's version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which included a 10 year moratorium on enforcement of state or local regulations for artificial intelligence models
Not on the record: the record holds no bill called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Read from the statement's words: Byron Donalds voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (2025). Checked against the bills and roll calls the record holds.
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David Jolly, Democratic congressional candidate
Byron Donalds campaign has received donations from data center developers
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Naples Republican gubernatorial candidate
Donalds has expressed strong support for SB 484 regulating data centers pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, which requires data centers to pay their own costs of service, establish large scale consumptive use permits, and use reclaimed water for cooling
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Republican candidate for Florida governor
Byron Donalds warned that a statewide freeze on data centers could drive investment elsewhere and opposes a moratorium.
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Florida Democratic Party made visit to Pinellas County to criticize Rep. Byron Donalds over campaign donations from tech executives and AI developers.
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Democratic congressional candidate
David Jolly plans to visit Northern Virginia data center region known as Data Center Alley this week to assess impact on communities
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Representative, Florida Democrat
Kathy Castor, Florida Democrat, co sponsors the Ratepayer Protection Act
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Pinellas County Democrat
David Jolly called SB 484 a good first start but questioned why ratepayer protection is considered an accomplishment
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Republican candidate for Florida governor
Byron Donalds supports keeping data centers away from homes and using cooling technology that conserves water, including systems that recirculate water or use air cooling.
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Florida gubernatorial candidate
Russo proposes voluntary Florida Data Center Modernization Fund with 1 billion dollars raised from Florida billionaires
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Florida gubernatorial candidate
Russo's Florida Data Center Community Responsibility Act includes five principles: Community Responsibility Tax, Host Community Fund, Five Year Modernization Deadline, Energy Self Sufficiency, and End Taxpayer Subsidies
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Florida gubernatorial candidate
Frank Russo challenges Mark Zuckerberg to personally commit 250 million dollars toward data center modernization and protecting Florida water and power infrastructure
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Florida gubernatorial candidate
Frank Russo proposes requiring new and upgraded data centers to provide their own power rather than use public grid
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Florida gubernatorial candidate
Frank Russo proposes ending state tax credits and incentives for data centers
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candidate for Florida governor
Byron Donalds calls for AI bill of rights to protect children and families
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Florida gubernatorial candidate
Frank Russo said he would pursue ballot initiative if legislature does not enact the proposal
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candidate for Florida governor
David Jolly states Florida does not need data centers and should let the other 49 states build them
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Florida gubernatorial candidate
Frank Russo proposes five year modernization deadline for existing data centers to upgrade to efficient technology
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Florida gubernatorial candidate
Frank Russo unveiled Florida Data Center Community Responsibility Act proposing statewide charge on large data center operations based on electrical capacity
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Byron Donalds, GOP gubernatorial candidate, supports building AI data centers and hyperscale data centers in Florida
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David Jolly, gubernatorial nominee, said 70 to 80 percent of Floridians oppose data center construction
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gubernatorial nominee
David Jolly vows to enact a one year moratorium on Florida data center construction if elected
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Byron Donalds said regarding data centers: We are wide open. We have actual land in this state that is still pristine, available to use
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David Jolly, Democratic gubernatorial candidate, advocates for a data center moratorium
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Byron Donalds argued that data stored in Florida is more secure than data warehoused in other states or foreign countries
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Byron Donalds advocated for small modular nuclear reactors and closed loop water filtration systems as part of data center builds
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Byron Donalds stated if elected Governor he would respect local bans on data center facilities
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David Jolly backs Escambia data center moratorium
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David Jolly
Byron Donalds out of step with voters on data center moratorium issue
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Florida Representative
Byron Donalds spent more than $2 million on advertising in his primary promising to protect Florida from data centers
Advocates and residents 6
Advocacy and community groups on every side, residents, neighbors and people speaking at public meetings. Every state.
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Imran Siddiqui, executive director of the Florida Digital Infrastructure and Security Alliance, said a data center brings in tax revenue and creates more than 100 six figure jobs.
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Consumer advocates (unnamed)
Consumer advocates say Duke is skirting a new law on data center electricity costs.
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unnamed grassroots opponents
Grassroots opposition to AI infrastructure because of its huge demand on local water supplies and the electrical grid has been growing since early 2026
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Bradley Marshall, Florida Rising, stated that data centers must pay their full cost of service and Duke's proposal does not come close
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executive director, Florida Digital Infrastructure and Security Alliance Board
Imran Siddiqui, executive director of Florida Digital Infrastructure and Security Alliance Board, told Florida League of Cities Annual Conference attendees that data centers are essential infrastructure and Florida should compete for data center investment
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Bradley Marshall, Florida Rising, stated this is the first case deciding how Senate Bill 484 provisions will practically play out.
Researchers and analysts 2
Universities, research institutes, think tanks, pollsters, economists and consultants. Every state.
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Heidi Cramer, business consultant for the Florida Small Business Development Center at FGCU, said the data center issue is the most talked about and misunderstood issue.
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Mark McNees, Florida State University professor, stated: 'Saying rates will not go up because of the law claims an outcome the statute does not deliver'
Other voices 4
Journalists, lawyers, former officials, and speakers the source describes in words that name none of the groups above. Every state.
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news report
David Jolly traveled to Northern Virginia known as Data Center Alley to observe impact on communities
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Tim O'Hara, TCPalm reporter
Several data centers have been proposed or discussed in Indiantown within Martin County.
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environmental attorney, Gray Robinson
Byron Flagg stated that Florida Senate Bill 484 requires data centers to obtain consumptive use permits and preserves local government oversight through comprehensive planning and land development codes
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Karen McAllister, JEA media relations manager
Cologix building meets Category 5 hurricane rating requirements
The group comes from the words the source gives for the speaker; how the groups are read. Every statement on the record is in CSV and JSON, with its group and its state.
