Duke Energy faces first major test of Florida's new AI data center law
Duke Energy's plan for AI data centers is facing the first major test of Florida's new law, which aims to protect customers from bearing the cost of powering these facilities. State regulators are scrutinizing Duke Energy's proposal to ensure it adequately safeguards customers. A two-day hearing will be held in Pinellas County to review the plan.
Chad Mills reported from Pinellas County on a significant development concerning Florida's new AI data center law. Duke Energy's plan for hyperscale AI data centers is undergoing the first major test of this legislation, which aims to protect ordinary customers from bearing the costs of powering these highly energy-intensive facilities. Concerns have been raised regarding the immense electricity usage of these data centers, with some requiring more power than entire cities, necessitating new power plants and transmission lines.
State regulators are closely scrutinizing Duke Energy's proposal, questioning whether it sufficiently safeguards customers from these potential costs. The company asserts that its plan does protect customers and complies with the new law, adding that if necessary, developers, not customers, would cover the associated costs. The Florida State Regulators will ultimately decide if Duke Energy's plan aligns with the new law and effectively shields customers from data center power expenses. A two-day hearing is scheduled in Pinellas County to review the matter.