Overview
- Gov. Ron DeSantis signed SB 484 on Thursday at Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland, creating new rules for large AI data centers.
- The law orders the Public Service Commission to stop cost‑shifting by making big users pay for new power lines, substations and system upgrades instead of passing those expenses to residential customers.
- Data center developers must apply for water withdrawal permits, and regulators can require the use of reclaimed water when it is environmentally, economically and technically feasible.
- Local governments keep full say over zoning and permits, and communities must discuss water and utility impacts in public meetings, though cities and counties may keep negotiations confidential for up to 12 months.
- The statute applies to customers with a monthly peak load of 50 megawatts or more, takes effect July 1, 2026, and directs a state study on data center construction and operations due July 1, 2027, with future PSC tariff decisions likely to shape project costs and investment.