Byron Donalds proposes legislation to require artificial intelligence data centers to fund their own electricity and water needs to lower utility costs.

Byron Donalds, a Republican congressman running for Florida governor, announced a legislative proposal to prevent artificial intelligence data centers from driving up utility costs for residential consumers. The plan would require these facilities to obtain their electricity and water needs from private sources rather than relying on the public power grid or water systems. The proposal aligns with a voluntary initiative from the administration, which has sought to ensure that major technology firms pay their fair share of energy expenses. While the administration has already secured agreements with several tech companies to cover building costs, the new legislation aims to provide a more formal framework. Donalds noted that data center developers are often willing to absorb these costs to ensure construction can proceed without burdening households. The move comes as the nation experiences a rapid buildout of AI infrastructure. If passed, the legislation would help mitigate concerns regarding environmental damage and rising monthly bills that have led some local communities to ban or delay new data center construction.

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