Florida Governor Slams Data Centers as 'Stealing' Energy

Growing backlash against tech infrastructure expansion in rural communities across the U.S.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 6:42am

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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has joined a growing chorus of local officials criticizing data centers as 'vampires' that are 'stealing' energy and driving up electricity bills for ordinary residents. This sentiment is echoed in rural communities across the country, where residents are pushing for moratoria on new data center developments, citing concerns over rising energy costs and the moral worth of powering 'chatbots' versus serving local needs.

Why it matters

The debate over data centers reflects a broader shift away from the 'build more' mentality that has historically driven infrastructure expansion during periods of rising demand. Instead, many communities are now embracing a 'scarcity mindset' that treats electricity as a limited resource to be rationed, with politicians acting as gatekeepers to decide which uses are 'essential' versus 'indulgent'. This could have far-reaching implications for the country's ability to scale critical digital infrastructure and maintain technological competitiveness.

The details

Across the U.S., over 2,600 gigawatts of proposed generation capacity are currently stuck in interconnection queues, awaiting studies, approvals, and transmission upgrades. This backlog is fueling a backlash against data centers, which are seen as voracious consumers of electricity. In places like rural Virginia, Texas, and Indiana, local officials have enacted moratoria to block new data center developments. The language used to describe data centers - 'vampires', 'stealing energy' - reflects a growing sentiment that some uses of electricity are less deserving than others, with AI and 'chatbots' being cast as the villains.

  • In 2024, U.S. electricity demand surged nearly 3%, adding 128 terawatt-hours, one of the strongest growth years this century.
  • Electricity demand is projected to rise 20-25% by 2030, driven largely by data centers, AI, and electrification.

The players

Ron DeSantis

The Governor of Florida who has publicly criticized data centers as 'stealing' energy and driving up electricity bills.

Tallahassee

The capital city of Florida where Governor DeSantis made his comments about data centers.

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What they’re saying

“I don't think there's very many people that want to have higher energy bills just so some chatbot can corrupt some 13-year-old kid online. That is not what anybody is signing up for.”

— Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida

What’s next

The growing backlash against data centers and other digital infrastructure could lead to more local moratoria and regulatory hurdles, further constraining the country's ability to scale critical technology capabilities.

The takeaway

The debate over data centers reflects a broader shift in mindset, away from the historical 'build more' approach to infrastructure expansion and towards a 'scarcity mindset' that treats electricity as a limited resource to be rationed. This could have serious implications for the U.S.'s technological competitiveness if it leads to further constraints on the growth of digital infrastructure.