Florida governor’s race puts data centers in focus

Opposition to data center development has become an issue in Florida’s gubernatorial race, with Republican nominee Byron Donalds and former Republican David Jolly taking different positions.

Patti Zirhut, a lifelong Republican and organizer with No Data Center Hernando County, says she will not vote for Donalds. She is considering voting for Jolly, the Democratic nominee. Donalds has received the party’s backing and President Donald Trump’s endorsement, as well as $148 million in campaign funds, much of it from the tech industry, according to The Verge.

Jolly has promised a one-year moratorium on data center development. He has cited concerns including air and noise pollution, effects on people living near on-site power plants, water use and the pace of AI development. He said facilities built today may be functionally obsolete within 10 years. Jolly acknowledged that closed-loop air cooling partly addresses water concerns.

Donalds has said he wants to welcome technology companies, including data center developers, to Florida. He has also pointed to a bill sponsored by his running mate, state Sen. Bryan Ávila, that would require new data center projects to pay their fair share for water and electricity. Donalds has argued that local governments, which issue building permits, have the final say.

The article says Donalds has moderated his position as candidates respond to opposition among Floridians. It reports that 68 percent oppose data center developments in their communities and quotes Jolly citing 70 percent of the state as saying, “Don’t do it.”