Committee advances package on data centers, balancing ratepayer protections and developer concerns

Senator Avila presented two related bills addressing the rapid growth of data centers in Florida. SB 484 would preserve local governments' land-use authority over large-load data users, require the Public Service Commission to develop minimum large-load tariff requirements so large data users pay their cost of service, bar agencies from confidentiality contracts that prevent disclosure about potential projects, and limit consumptive-use water permits for large centers unless there is no harm to area water resources.

John Brown, CEO of DCIP Group, described a 1,300-acre, behind-the-meter, privately funded project in DeSoto County that will generate and consume its own power and will not rely on public transmission or county water utilities. Brown asked for carve-outs for self-powered projects that do not use grid or public-water resources.

Consumer-energy advocates and environment/solar groups spoke at the hearing. Kevin Doyle (Consumer Energy Alliance) highlighted economic benefits data centers can bring to local tax revenue and urged balanced rules to protect ratepayers; Heaven Campbell (Solar United Neighbors Action) supported the bill's ratepayer protections and urged provisions that ensure bill savings or other benefits for vulnerable rural customers. Industry and economic-development groups emphasized competitive concerns and asked for narrowly tailored provisions rather than broad, project-specific requirements.

Senators pressed developers on scale, water use and employment: Brown said his project would target about 1.2 million gallons per day water use (well below an agricultural benchmark he cited) and estimated about 225 onsite full-time employees for a 2-gigawatt eventual buildout. Sponsors and other senators emphasized the need for local-government voice and clarified that confidentiality protections in SB 1118 would be time-limited (no more than one year) and modeled on existing economic-development project exemptions.

After debate and a commitment from the sponsor to work with concerned senators on language around competing proposals and disclosure, the committee reported both bills favorably.