Florida lawmakers have a chance to do something rare: pass a bipartisan, pro-community bill that puts people before profits. House Bill 1007 does just that.

AI data centers are massive facilities that use enormous amounts of energy and water. When built without careful oversight, they can raise electric bills for nearby residents and businesses, drain local water supplies, and overwhelm sensitive ecosystems. HB 1007 offers smart, commonsense protections to ensure this doesn’t happen in Florida.

Under this bill, no data center can be built without a public hearing and local government approval. Residents living within 10 miles would be directly notified, giving communities a real voice in what gets built in their backyards. And if the project gets local approval, it still must pass through a vote by the Governor and Cabinet—adding another layer of scrutiny to protect public interests.

Most importantly, HB 1007 bans data centers from being built on environmentally sensitive lands, ensures a 500-foot buffer between facilities and homes, and requires responsible landscaping and water use disclosures. It also protects us from utility rate hikes by preventing companies from offloading infrastructure costs onto Floridians’ electric bills.

This bill doesn’t block innovation—it demands accountability. Tech giants like Amazon and Google are welcome in Florida, but they must respect our land, water, wallets, and voices.

Governor Ron DeSantis has called for stronger guardrails on these projects. Now it’s time for the Legislature to act. Whether you’re Republican, Democrat, or independent, this is about transparency, fairness, and local control.

Sign this petition to support House Bill 1007 and urge Florida lawmakers, Governor DeSantis, and the state Cabinet to pass this vital legislation. Let’s protect our communities before it’s too late.

Photo via Tampa Bay Times