Amid staunch support for highly controversial Artificial Intelligence (AI) Data Center development in the state of Florida from several prominent candidates, Republican Congressional Candidate Casey Askar affirms that he will work to “keep them out of our state.”
Askar Doesn't Want Data Centers in FL
During a Florida 22nd Congressional District (FL CD 22) Forum, Askar stood firm on his views on AI Data Centers and their impact on his prospective constituents.
“As your representative, my job is to keep AI data centers outside of our neighborhoods,” the U.S. Marine veteran said, asserting that he doesn’t want them anywhere near residences, densely populated regions, schools, agriculture, or the Sunshine State’s water supplies.
“In fact, my position will be – and you can hold me to this – is I don’t want them in the state of Florida,” the Naples Republican stated, vowing to do everything he can to keep them outside of the state.
During the FL CD 22 Forum, Askar’s challengers, Belinda Keiser and Michael Carbonara, were also asked about the controversial topic.
Keiser, vice chancellor of Keiser University, stated that she believed the state should open the door to technological innovation while also ensuring that local safeguards are in place to protect constituents’ interests.
Carbonara, a prominent supporter of AI data hubs, has owned data centers in the past, and is the current owner of a cryptocurrency data center mining operation, stated that he believes that the decision should fall to the communities, not the federal government.
Florida’s primary election will take place on August 18th.
I think we really do want data centers. A lot of the data center hate is coming from Russia and China. Local governments should get a say where they go. They will be ugly, just like massive warehouse districts. They aren’t going to be on the coast because the property values are too high and the potential for hurricane damage. But they are coming. Data Centers represent jobs in their construction and maintenance. Data centers also represent innovation and are going to be required to move into the next generation of commercial activity. Modern data centers do not use as much water as the first generation; now they tend to be closed-loop, using mostly synthetic coolants. My understanding is they use no more water than a golf course. Data Centers do use a lot of electricity. So much electricity, in fact, that they need to upgrade or build new utility systems in any location in Florida. So the net result will be a modern electrical plant that will likely increase electric capacity and reduce electrical costs for the surrounding public. We are in a race to AI, like the race to the moon or a nuclear weapon. We will need US AI to defend against foreign AI. We also will want to have AI infrastructure in the State of Florida, where we have easy access and the ability to regulate it.