Charlotte County commissioners weigh AI data center impact on water

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (WINK)—Charlotte County commissioners held a workshop Tuesday morning to discuss the possibility of a data center coming to the area.

The discussion comes as Southwest Florida battles one of the worst drought seasons in decades. The conversation about data centers across the state is heating up.

Florida Gov. DeSantis signed Senate Bill 484 into law in May, which gives local governments authority over planning and land development regulations. 

The law aims to regulate utility costs for taxpayers and prohibit data centers from using anything other than reclaimed water.

Some people argue that there are loopholes in the law and don't want the impacts to weigh heavily on an already dry area. Commissioners expressed concerns about the potential effects.

"This isn't anything I want to see here at all," Commissioner Christopher Constance said.

Commissioner Ken Doherty acknowledged the legal constraints.

"484, the new statute, is what it's all about right now," Doherty said. "I don't think we can prohibit it. We've got to look at this use and figure out how to regulate it."

Commissioner Bill Truex raised environmental concerns.

"It's also going to have a negative impact on the environment," Truex said. "If you put one of these things in a rural area, it's not going to be seen by the public; it could affect cattle negatively, other livestock, or just wildlife in the area."

Although public comment wasn't part of the agenda, neighbors showed up to weigh in. Charlotte County neighbor Tim Ritchie questioned the county's water capacity.

"I don't think they want a big, massive data center," Ritchie said. "Truthfully, I don't even think they want a smaller data center here. We don't have the water."

Charlotte County neighbor Sam Terpening pointed to current drought restrictions as evidence of water scarcity.

"Technology is here; we have to adapt," Terpening said. "The problem with this technology, at least in the state of Florida, since that's where we are, we have no water, we're on level three drought restrictions right now. I just got my hair cut this morning in Punta Gorda, and on a Circle K from the City of Punta Gorda, there was a sign there that says that we're on water restrictions."

Ritchie emphasized the need for regional water authority involvement.

"The Peace River, Manasota Water Authority needs to get involved, because if you take all the water they use in Polk, Hardy, DeSoto, Charlotte County, Sarasota, we do not have any extra water to give out," Ritchie said.

Terpening expressed broader environmental concerns about water quality.

"Our waterways are being affected, and our animals, and our birds, and our insects, and so many things are being affected by our water quality that we just cannot afford this on so many different levels," Terpening said.

Commissioners say this is just an initial conversation to break the ice. They'll circle back in six months to see how other counties handle data centers in their areas.