Humans First AI Data Center Revolt National Tour: Florida Stop
The Humans First AI data center revolt national tour made a stop in Jacksonville, Florida, gathering citizens and local political groups to discuss the implications of unchecked AI expansion. Concerns were raised about the lack of local zoning authority, environmental impacts on water and power infrastructure, and the need for legislative guardrails to protect communities from corporate influence and secrecy. Speakers highlighted how current practices can lead to eminent domain and the annexation of farmland without public knowledge.
The Humans First AI data center revolt national tour recently made a stop in Jacksonville, Florida, aiming to challenge the unchecked expansion of AI data centers and empower citizens. The event, covered by Coastal Conservative News, highlighted backroom deals, non-disclosure agreements, and the potential impact on local water and power infrastructure before massive tech campuses break ground. Attendees included members of the Duval County Republican Liberty Caucus and the Duval County Republican Party, underscoring strong grassroots participation.
Ken Mayo, Florida director for Humans First, emphasized the tour's objective to give a voice to small, rural towns, some with populations as low as 400, that are being overrun by large tech companies. He cited instances of eminent domain in Dallas and the annexation of 900 acres of farmland in Iowa without homeowner knowledge. Kathy Laam, Texas State Director, provided real-world examples from Texas, where counties often lack zoning rights, allowing data centers to acquire land, drill wells, and potentially drain aquifers due to "right of capture" laws. She stressed the ongoing efforts to work with state legislators to restore zoning rights to counties.
Karen Morton, RLC Florida Vice Chair, discussed how developers offer "obscene dollars" for land, and utilize statutory exemptions to keep projects secret for years, effectively bypassing public hearings and stripping neighboring residents of their right to local recourse. Kylie Kramer, Humans First senior adviser, highlighted the urgent need for clear state guardrails to manage the serious societal and economic costs of AI expansion. Florida Representative Jessica Baker mentioned federal efforts like the Protecting RPayers Act and state measures such as Senate Bill 484, which aim to ensure data centers develop dedicated power and water infrastructure to prevent increased utility burdens on residents.
James Lyall, program director, presented data from Palm Beach's Project Tango, where a proposed facility's power demand escalated significantly, raising concerns about residential ratepayers subsidizing corporate utility upgrades. Charles Bar, Duval County Republican Party Chairman, advocated for local accountability, stating that communities must retain control over development proposals. The tour’s momentum is evident, with 20 Florida counties already holding hearings and establishing development moratoriums, indicating a growing movement for local oversight.