Florida enacts legislation to ensure data centers pay electricity costs
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed legislation requiring the state's regulated utilities to implement rate structures that ensure large-scale data centers cover their full electric service costs. This measure aims to prevent cost burdens from shifting to families and small businesses, while also supporting responsible economic growth. Florida Power & Light Company already operates under a similar framework approved by the Florida Public Service Commission.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed legislation mandating that all regulated utilities in the state establish rate structures to ensure large-scale data centers bear their full electric service costs. This initiative is designed to prevent these expenses from being passed on to other customers, including families and small businesses.
Scott Bores, president of Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), highlighted that FPL already operates under a similar large-load rate structure, which was approved by the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC). This existing framework requires companies connecting significant new demand to the grid to pay 100% of the costs associated with serving their projects, including any new power generation required. The goal is to keep costs with the demanding company, ensuring reliability and affordability for Florida residents while supporting responsible economic expansion.