Does Byron Donalds support data centers? Why they're controversial
Florida governor-elect Byron Donalds supports data center development but says private developers, rather than residents, should pay for the electricity and water infrastructure they require. He has proposed legislation requiring new and existing data centers to generate and use their own power and water, amid concerns about utility costs, grid strain, water consumption and environmental impacts.
Florida governor-elect Byron Donalds supports data centers but opposes shifting their substantial energy and water costs onto households. He has argued that local governments should retain authority to approve or reject projects and has promoted ratepayer protections for communities hosting or located near data centers.
As a member of the U.S. House, Donalds introduced the Protecting Ratepayers Act, which would require data centers to generate and use their own power and water. The article places his position within broader Florida and national concerns about rising utility bills, power-grid demands, water consumption and emissions associated with data center growth, while noting that Florida is among the leading U.S. states for data center facilities.