U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor urged Hillsborough County commissioners to block data center development, warning the facilities would drive up electric bills and drain water supplies.

Castor, who represents Florida's 14th Congressional District, sent the letter Thursday, Sept. 10, to the Hillsborough County Commission. She asked the board to reject data center siting, the Laker/Lutz News reported.

Letter Affects Lutz, Odessa Residents Directly

The letter hits close to home for Lutz and Odessa residents. Both unincorporated communities sit in Hillsborough County and share its utility and water infrastructure.

Rising Electric Bills Cited as Concern

Castor, the ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Energy Subcommittee, wrote that average electric bills in the county have jumped more than 40% over the past five years. She argued that data centers' massive energy appetite would push those costs higher for families and small businesses.

Water Supply, Drought Conditions Raise Alarms

Water was the other alarm. Castor wrote that the county faces moderate to extreme drought conditions and that diverting millions of gallons to data center operations is unsustainable. She noted that Hillsborough County and Tampa Bay Water are struggling with rising water demand, and that population growth threatens local aquifer levels.

Castor Introduces Ratepayer Protection Act

"Ratepayers should not have to subsidize wealthy corporations' growing energy demands, especially from AI data centers," Castor said Tuesday, Sept. 15, when she introduced the Ratepayer Protection Act, according to Florida Politics.

That bill, H.R. 9340, would require large-load customers like data centers to absorb spikes in electricity costs instead of passing them to other ratepayers. The U.S. House of Representatives was scheduled to bring it to a vote the week of Tuesday, Sept. 15.

NDA Law Draws Criticism From Castor

Castor also criticized a Florida law that allows nondisclosure agreements for data center deals. She wrote that secret agreements undermine public trust and prevent residents from understanding the environmental and economic effects on their communities.

County Already Weighing a Data Center Ban

The county commission has already signaled concern. In August, commissioners directed their attorney to draft a prohibition on large-scale data centers, the Business Observer reported. That prohibition cannot take effect until restrictions under Senate Bill 180 (SB 180), a 2025 law passed after hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton, expire Oct. 1, 2027.

No Public Response Yet From Commissioners

No public response from the county commission to Castor's letter appeared in available records as of publication. The county's drafted ban remains on hold until SB 180 expires.