Florida

Florida's gubernatorial candidates Byron Donalds (Republican) and David Jolly (Democrat) differ on artificial intelligence regulation, with Jolly favoring federal standards and Donalds preferring state action. They also disagree on data centers, with Jolly citing public health concerns and Donalds supporting local government decisions, and on Amendment 3 regarding property taxes.

FOX 35 Orlando · Orange Co. (FL), FL

Fort Pierce's planning board delayed a decision on a proposal to rezone 200 acres near I-95 and Midway Road for a data center and commercial development, requesting further research while residents expressed mixed views on the project.

WPBF · Florida

Republican Byron Donalds proposes new regulations requiring data centers to use private power and water sources, while Democrat David Jolly proposes a one-year moratorium on data center construction with potential for a permanent ban. Donalds has received campaign contributions from data center industries, which opponents have criticized.

Miami Herald · Florida

Headline onlyTreasure Coast News · Florida · also at Yahoo, Bradenton Herald

Headline onlywtsp.com · Florida

Headline onlywtsp.com · Florida

Headline onlySuaraGarut.ID · Florida

A Florida non-profit argues that Duke Energy's proposal to serve data centers could create a multi-billion-dollar cost burden for other ratepayers. The utility filed a plan with state regulators to comply with a new data center protection law requiring disclosure that such costs won't fall on customers.

WFTV · Florida · also at Yahoo, WFTV

Headline onlywptv.com · Florida

A bipartisan bill from U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor will receive a House vote before the midterm recess. The Ratepayers Protection Act requires utility regulators to ensure large-load customers, such as data centers, cover their own increased power costs rather than passing expenses to other consumers.

Florida Politics · Hillsborough Co., FL

Florida's gubernatorial candidates are clashing over artificial intelligence data centers, with Democrat David Jolly proposing a one-year moratorium on new facilities to assess environmental and community impacts, while Republican Byron Donalds argues the state can accommodate the infrastructure while protecting communities and local control.

tampabay28.com · Florida

Orange County commissioners advanced a plan for a 6- to 18-month moratorium on data center development, with staff to draft a formal ordinance for a vote. The move follows similar actions by other municipalities nationwide amid concerns over large-scale data centers' environmental and quality-of-life impacts.

Orlando Weekly · Florida

Orange County commissioners agreed Tuesday they will likely impose a temporary moratorium on large data centers, joining more than a dozen other Florida governments in pausing such development. Commissioners expressed concerns about the facilities' massive consumption of water and electricity, as well as noise pollution from cooling systems.

Orlando Sentinel · Florida

Florida residents are increasingly opposing data centers that power artificial intelligence technology due to concerns about water and electrical demands. In the gubernatorial race, Democratic candidate David Jolly has proposed a statewide moratorium on data center construction, while Republican Byron Donalds, despite previously championing such projects, has shifted his position following public backlash.

Creative Loafing Tampa · Florida

Headline onlytcpalm.com · Florida · also at Yahoo

Orange County commissioners expressed support for a temporary moratorium on new data centers to allow time for developing regulations, with Commissioner Kelly Martinez Semrad advocating for at least a one-year pause. The board could vote on the proposal Dec. 1, citing concerns over the lack of current zoning rules and potential impacts on water, electricity, and noise.

floridapolitics.com · Florida

In Florida's gubernatorial race, Democrat David Jolly has promised a statewide moratorium on data center construction, while Republican Byron Donalds has softened his previous support for the facilities following public opposition but backs a state regulatory law. The debate centers on data centers' demands on water and electrical resources amid broader concerns about artificial intelligence's impact on employment and communities.

Florida Phoenix · Florida

Leon County commissioners unanimously approved an 18-month moratorium on large-scale data center applications to develop regulations addressing these facilities' potential impacts on water, electricity and infrastructure before projects arrive.

wtwcfox · Leon Co., FL

Orange County commissioners expressed support Tuesday for a temporary moratorium on large artificial intelligence data centers, joining 16 other Florida counties that have enacted similar bans. County staff will study concerns including zoning, water consumption, electricity loads, and noise impacts before commissioners potentially revisit the issue in December.

Central Florida Public Media · Orange Co. (FL), FL

Florida Democrats criticized Republican congressional candidate Byron Donalds' support for data center development, while his Democratic opponent David Jolly highlighted donations Donalds received from data center developers. Gov. Ron DeSantis opposed Amendment 1, which would increase the state's rainy day fund cap by 10 to 25 percent and require annual deposits up to $750 million.

Spectrum Bay News 9 · Florida

Headline onlywfla.com · Florida

Byron Donalds and David Jolly are proposing competing strategies to address Florida's home insurance crisis and regulate artificial intelligence technology in the governor's race. Donalds backs insurance report cards and catastrophe fund reductions, while Jolly advocates expanding the fund and taxing insurance profits to lower costs; the candidates also diverge on AI data centers, with Jolly opposing them entirely and Donalds proposing state protections.

Yahoo · Florida

Two leading candidates for Florida governor are highlighting contrasting approaches to home insurance costs and artificial intelligence regulation as the race enters its final weeks. Donalds proposes insurance report cards and reduced catastrophe fund spending, while Jolly calls for expanding the catastrophe fund through profit taxes and tourist dollars.

FOX 13 Tampa Bay · Florida

Tampa Bay Times · Hillsborough Co., FL · also at Yahoo

Inver Grove Heights amended its data center moratorium Monday to allow Florida-based developer QLevr to proceed with a 54,000-square-foot facility, averting a lawsuit seeking over $150 million in damages. The council voted 3-1 to exclude QLevr's application from the interim moratorium after the company challenged the ordinance in court.

Pioneer Press · Florida

A 22-year-old Florida woman who flew to California to meet a car-show organizer died alongside him in a fiery high-speed McLaren crash in Irvine early Sunday. Authorities are investigating what caused the vehicle to lose control, strike a curb and tree, then catch fire near Culver Drive and Deerfield Avenue.

al.com · Polk Co., FL

Headline onlyThe Business Journals · Florida

Headline onlypalmbeachpost.com · Florida

Florida gubernatorial candidate Frank Russo unveiled the Florida Data Center Community Responsibility Act, proposing that data centers pay for their infrastructure impacts and direct tax revenue to host communities for local needs like road repairs and water system improvements.

PR Newswire · Florida · also at Morningstar

Orange County Commissioner Kelly Martinez Semrad is pushing for a temporary moratorium on artificial intelligence data centers, arguing the county currently lacks specific regulatory language for these facilities. The discussion is scheduled for the September 15th Board of County Commission meeting, with support from local elected officials and a grassroots organization citing concerns about impacts on water, energy, and natural resources.

West Orlando News · Florida