Poll: Voters overwhelmingly approve of Florida’s new data center regulations

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed SB 484, a new law designed to regulate large-scale data centers across the state. The legislation, sponsored by Senator Bryan Ávila and Representative Griff Griffitts, mandates that data centers pay their own utility costs, preserves local control over development decisions, and imposes more stringent environmental standards, particularly concerning water usage. According to a poll conducted by Sachs Media, approximately 9 in 10 Florida voters approve of the new requirements, with strong support evident across different political affiliations and age groups. The law, effective July 1, requires utilities to develop special rate structures to ensure data centers' high electricity demands are not subsidized by residential or small-business customers. It also tightens permitting standards for consumptive-use permits issued by water management districts and the Department of Environmental Protection, requiring conservation efforts and the use of reclaimed water when feasible. Major permit applications will also necessitate public hearings. Additionally, the legislation calls for a statewide study to assess the long-term impacts of hyperscale data centers on electric grids, water resources, economic development, and public safety. Governor DeSantis lauded SB 484 as the first law of its kind in the nation, emphasizing that it prevents wealthy companies from relying on taxpayer subsidies for their data center operations. While generally well-received, some lawmakers, like Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman, expressed concerns that the bill did not go far enough, specifically pointing to a provision that allows local economic development agencies to conceal plans for major data centers from the public for up to a year. This controversial provision was originally part of a separate bill (SB 1118) that failed but was later incorporated into SB 484.