Governor Ron DeSantis signs law to protect Floridians from subsidizing data centers

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 484 into law today, enacting new regulations for hyperscale data center development across the state. The legislation, which DeSantis signed in Lakeland, aims to protect Floridians, natural resources, and local communities from potential negative impacts of these facilities. SB 484 specifically empowers local governments with the authority to reject data center projects within their jurisdictions. It also includes provisions designed to prevent the costs associated with data center operations, particularly electricity expenses, from being transferred to consumers. Furthermore, the bill incorporates measures to safeguard Florida's water resources from the significant consumption demands of data centers.