STATEWIDE, Fla. – Today, Sierra Club Florida launched a new advocacy toolkit to equip Florida residents and community organizations with the resources to address the growing threats and impacts of AI-data center development around the state.
A data center is a centralized physical facility that houses massive IT infrastructure, ranging from small “in-house” operations that support a single organization, to “hyperscale” centers that generally have at least 5,000 servers and more than 10,000 square feet of space.
Hyperscale data centers present more extreme environmental concerns than traditional facilities due to their large size and higher resource demands that result in extreme strain on energy grids, massive water consumption, wildlife habitat destruction, and severe noise pollution. Despite taking up vast amounts of land and receiving major state tax breaks, completed data center warehouses also employ very few permanent workers, offering little to no long term economic benefit to local communities.
In recent months, it has become clear that local governments are not prepared for the rapid arrival of these types of facilities; there also aren’t any regulations in place for them. As AI infrastructure expands, Floridians deserve clear, accurate information about these projects’ impacts, and a voice in the local decision-making that affects their communities.
Brooke Alexander-Goss, Sierra Club Florida Organizing Manager, said, “Our communities need access to clear, reliable information and practical resources to address the impacts of AI-data center expansion around Florida. Sierra Club Florida’s new citizens’ toolkit will help empower residents to advocate for protections for the environment and the well-being of their communities."
Javier Estevez, Sierra Club Florida Political and Legislative Director, said, “Florida has a key opportunity to learn from residents across the country that have already experienced the impacts of hyperscale data centers and address those risks before they happen here. While the Legislature took the first step this session in addressing increased costs, we must do more to protect Floridians from the other impacts associated with AI-data centers, including dangers to public health and the environment. Sierra Club Florida is committed to helping residents understand these proposals, engage with local officials, and prepare their communities to meet the challenges ahead.”
Robin Orlandi, Sierra Club Adventure Coast Group Citrus Conservation Committee Co-chair, said, “Citrus County residents showed what communities can accomplish when they come together to protect their water, environment, and quality of life. More than 200 residents turned out for a nearly nine-hour public hearing, and the county ultimately voted unanimously to deny the proposed data center application. This victory demonstrates the power of informed, organizing community advocacy, but the fight is far from over. As counties around Florida develop new protections against data center proposals, continued education and engagement will be essential.”
For more information on Sierra Club Florida’s efforts to stop the expansion of AI-data centers in Florida communities, visit sierraclub.org/florida/datacenters.
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