Florida communities weigh trade-offs of large data centers

Florida is chasing data centers, which use significant amounts of electricity and water, as communities weigh the trade-offs. St. Lucie County Commission Chair Jamie Fowler is considering a rezoning application for a 15-million-sq.-ft. data center, rumored to be for one of the tech giants like Google or Amazon. While the project could bring construction jobs and tax revenue, Fowler is concerned about opening the door to a cluster of data centers. Residents in Palm Beach County have also voiced concerns over a proposed data center project, citing issues like noise, health risks, and proximity to a school. Utility companies like Florida Power & Light (FPL) are trying to address affordability and other public concerns, with new tariffs requiring data centers to cover infrastructure costs. However, the Public Counsel has warned that future data center demand is speculative and uncertain, and FPL's customers should not bear the risk of stranded costs. Local officials must weigh the pros and cons as Florida aims to attract more of these facilities.