Peters seeks to block data centers despite state law

Pinellas County Commissioner Kathleen Peters has voiced strong opposition to data center development within Pinellas County, Florida, citing significant concerns over their substantial demands for water and electricity. Peters argues that while fiber optics are beneficial, data centers themselves are not significant job creators and would strain the county's resources, particularly along Gandy Boulevard where an unnamed party has expressed interest in a development requiring millions of gallons of water daily for cooling. Her efforts to ban such facilities, however, face legal hurdles due to Florida's Senate Bill 180. The legislation, originally intended to expedite permitting in storm-impacted areas, inadvertently curtails local planning authority and opens municipalities to lawsuits if they are deemed too "restrictive or burdensome" towards development. This situation is further complicated by Governor Ron DeSantis's extension of statewide tax exemptions for data centers until June 2027, aimed at attracting technological investment, particularly in AI. Christopher Lloyd of McGuire Woods Consulting noted the projected $8 trillion in AI spending by 2030, advocating for Pinellas to capitalize on this investment. Despite the legislative challenges, Peters remains resolute in her opposition. While a full ban may be impossible under current law, she plans to actively work against any tax incentives or abatements for data centers. Amendment bills that sought to correct the oversight in SB 180 failed to pass both legislative chambers, leaving localities like Pinellas County with limited recourse to prevent data center expansion for the foreseeable future.