Byron Donalds opposes a statewide moratorium on data centers
Byron Donalds, a Republican candidate for governor in Florida, opposes a statewide moratorium on data centers, arguing it would deter business investment. However, he supports local and state-level regulations to protect water supplies and prevent electricity bill increases for residents. Donalds also noted existing Florida law requires consumptive use permits for water and prohibits utility bill hikes for hyperscale data centers.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds expressed opposition to a statewide moratorium on data centers during a campaign event in Clearwater, Florida. Donalds argued that such a broad ban, similar to one enacted in New York, would signal to the business community that Florida is not a place to invest capital.
However, Donalds stated he backs efforts by cities and states to regulate large-scale data centers more locally to protect water supplies and prevent increases in electricity bills for Floridians. He highlighted that current Florida law already mandates consumptive use permits for water from management districts and ensures utility bills for residents will not rise due to hyperscale data center construction.
The discussion comes as opposition to large-scale data centers grows in Florida, with significant campaign contributions flowing to politicians from supporters, including over $5 million to Donalds' campaign. The likely Democratic gubernatorial candidate, David Jolly, has called for a statewide moratorium on data centers.