Byron Donalds on Monday unveiled federal legislation requiring AI data centers to secure all electricity and water from private sources instead of public grids and water systems.
The Florida Republican said the measure is meant to stop data-center expansion from raising household utility bills, arguing developers are willing to absorb those costs to keep projects moving.
The proposal would turn a Trump-backed voluntary approach into a legal requirement, as several major tech companies have already agreed to fund new power sources but enforceability remains unclear.
More than 20 Florida counties and municipalities have already rejected major data centers or paused them for at least a year, citing utility costs, community disruption and environmental damage.
The bill lands as backlash broadens across party lines during a rapid AI infrastructure buildout, with Florida's governor already requiring large data centers to cover their own energy and water costs.