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Florida Rep. Philip Griffitts introduced a bill requiring public hearings for data center projects and preventing utilities from passing costs to ratepayers. This follows Gov.

Ron DeSantis' AI Bill of Rights aimed at consumer protections. Virginia Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger also seeks to manage energy costs for data center operators. A National Association of Counties survey revealed 57% of leaders discussed energy-intensive projects.

Virginia's Prince William County has implemented zoning rules to distance data centers from homes. Officials emphasize the need for rebranding data centers as digital manufacturing to gain community support.