New Florida law to regulate data centers. What is now required

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed Senate Bill 484 into law, a measure aimed at increasing regulation on data center construction and operation across the state. Introduced by Republican state Senator Bryan Avila, the bill establishes detailed requirements, particularly concerning electricity and water usage, and seeks to empower local governments in managing these developments. The new legislation comes amidst growing community pushback against proposed data centers in Florida, citing concerns over potential increases in pollution and power costs. Governor DeSantis emphasized that the bill ensures local control over community development related to "hyper-scale data centers" and includes strict definitions to prevent utility costs from being passed on to consumers. The law mandates the Florida Public Service Commission to enforce rate structures that prevent disproportionate cost shifting to other ratepayers from large-load utility customers, defined as those requiring 50 megawatts or more of electricity. Environmental impact is a key focus, as data centers are known to be resource-intensive. Studies from organizations like the Environmental and Energy Study Institute highlight that large data centers can consume millions of gallons of water daily and contribute to noise pollution and increased competition for land. The World Resources Institute noted that many data centers are situated in areas with above-median environmental burdens and social vulnerability indicators. As of early 2026, Florida ranks 10th in the U.S. for data centers, with 107 facilities.