DeSoto County fast-tracked data center project, now commissioners may hit pause
DeSoto County officials fast-tracked a massive data center project by interpreting county rules favorably for the developer, despite largely unknown environmental impacts. Now, county commissioners are set to consider a proposed moratorium on data center applications amidst growing public opposition and concerns over the project's scale and environmental footprint.
DeSoto County leaders have aggressively pursued a massive data center project, fast-tracking reviews and adopting interpretations of county rules to pave the way, according to internal emails obtained by Suncoast Searchlight. The project, initially 34 acres, has expanded to over 800 acres and is touted by developer DCIP Group as potentially one of the largest data centers globally. Planning director Misty Servia described the review timeline as "aggressive" due to the board's direction, leading to deviations from normal processes.
Key among the county's concessions was accepting the developer's argument that a land-use restriction prohibiting rezoning agricultural land for power plants does not apply, as the data center's 4-gigawatt natural-gas turbines would serve a private entity rather than a public utility. However, this momentum could halt if commissioners approve a proposed moratorium on data center applications, introduced by Commissioner Jerod Gross. This proposal comes after similar actions by other Florida counties like Pasco, Nassau, and Citrus, and cities like Lakeland, reflecting statewide concerns.
Residents, including Alexandria Reed of Arcadia, have voiced significant opposition, questioning the project's impact on regional groundwater, freshwater availability, and saltwater intrusion risks during a recent commission meeting. Former DeSoto County commissioner Ed Johnson has also campaigned for a moratorium, citing too many unknowns. DCIP Group CEO Jon Brown has acknowledged that details such as water demand, which could range from zero to 3 million gallons per day, are not yet finalized, leading to public dissatisfaction.
Despite the economic incentives for the high-poverty county, critics, including Harvard researcher Michael Cork, argue that gas-powered data centers should be regulated like power plants due to their emissions and potential health impacts. Commissioners will decide on the moratorium and the project's expansion amidst these conflicting pressures and a lack of detailed environmental impact studies.