TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — Whether it’s on the campaign trail, in the nation’s capital, or at the statehouse in Tallahassee, AI data centers have become the talk of the town.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly says he is calling for a moratorium on data centers. He took that message to social media this week, while also criticizing GOP front-runner Byron Donalds.

“I do think Byron Donalds has been bought by too many special interests, including data centers,” Jolly said. “That’s not only a candidate out of touch with voters, but that’s a candidate unfit to be governor.”

Meanwhile, Donalds says he wants to prevent these centers from driving up water and electricity costs, introducing legislation in DC this week.

“When it comes to data centers, we’re very clear,” Donalds told 8 On Your Side. “We want to make sure that the utility rates for Floridians do not go up. We also want to make sure that if a data center is built, they have to get a consumptive use water permit from the water management district to protect our aqua force.”

And while the two candidates continue to spar on social media, Tampa Bay Congresswoman Kathy Castor is already advancing her own federal proposal known as the “Ratepayer Protection Act.”

“It just seems like for folks, everything is coming down on them at once,” Castor said. “High rent, insurance, in the Bay Area we’re trying to recover from hurricanes. So, when you’re rebuilding, the cost of all those supplies costs more. They’re looking for solutions and folks who have answers. That’s why I like the Ratepayer Protection Act.”

Castor’s bipartisan bill aims to ensure data center companies cover the cost of their electric use along with any grid upgrades needed to support their operations.

“Not families, not farmers, not communities, not businesses. The data center has to pay,” Castor said.

Castor said the bill passed out of the Energy Commerce Committee in D.C. this week and could reach the House floor after Congress returns from its August recess.

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