Nassau residents raise alarm about possible plans for hyperscale data center

NextNRG announced in September that it had secured a long-term lease on 1,600 acres in Nassau County, Florida, near the Jacksonville International Airport, with plans to develop a hyperscale data center on 400 of those acres. This announcement has generated significant local concern, with residents like Adam Kirsopp raising questions about the enormous water and electric usage associated with such facilities and the potential impact on their utility costs. Local opposition has materialized, including a Change.org petition that has gathered over 400 signatures. However, Nassau County Commission Chair Alyson McCullough (R-District 4) stated that the county's governing body has not been contacted by NextNRG, nor has it seen any evidence of their development plans. McCullough clarified that any business proceeding with development in the county would be required to go through the comprehensive development review committee process, adhering to the county's comprehensive plan and zoning laws. At the state level, a bill is awaiting the Governor's signature that would impose tariffs on data centers to offset their utility usage and prevent rate increases for other customers. McCullough also indicated that local policies, particularly regarding ratepayer protections, might be considered in response to the potential data center development.