Florida
Active Bans / MoratoriumsGovernor Ron DeSantis signed SB 484 — the Florida Hyperscale Data Center Act — into law on May 7, 2026 (effective July 1). The law classifies data centers consuming 50+ MW at peak demand as 'large-scale,' bars utilities from passing data center costs onto residential and small-business ratepayers, requires data centers to pay their full cost of service, creates a permitting framework to protect aquifers and local water (mandating reclaimed water where feasible), and preserves local government authority to deny or impose stricter standards on data center projects. Florida continues to attract data center investment, particularly in the Miami and Jacksonville markets, but local pushback emerged in mid-2026: Sarasota County adopted a one-year hyperscale moratorium in July, DeSoto County moved toward one, and Lakeland approved a one-year moratorium on first reading July 21, 2026 (final reading August 3). Governor DeSantis was one of only three governors — along with New Hampshire's Ayotte and Vermont's Scott — who declined to sign the White House Ratepayer Protection Pledge expanded on July 23, 2026. Local restriction widened in August 2026. Washington County's commissioners unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on August 20 halting acceptance, processing, review and approval of data center applications in unincorporated areas, exempting only facilities where computer equipment occupies no more than 5% of gross floor area with demand under 250 kW. In Palm Beach County, commissioners voted 5-1 in July to reject Project Tango — a $2 billion AI campus — without prejudice after water-demand estimates diverged sharply between the developer's 5,000-gallon daily figure and county staff's 100,000-gallon projection, and approved a temporary halt on large-scale applications that went to a public hearing on August 27. Late August brought the first regulatory test of SB 484: the Public Service Commission is reviewing Duke Energy's first large-load proposal under the law, weighing whether it adequately shields ratepayers from data center costs, with a written order expected after post-hearing briefs. Martin County commissioners voted 4-1 on August 27 to put a moratorium discussion on their next agenda, while Tallahassee commissioners rejected a proposed AI data center ban 3-2 the same day, noting existing zoning already excludes such facilities.
Legislation
| Bill | Title | Status |
|---|---|---|
| SB 484 | Florida Hyperscale Data Center Act — ratepayer protection, water/aquifer permitting, local zoning authority | Signed into law by Gov. DeSantis — May 7, 2026 (effective July 1, 2026) |
Local Actions
Commissioners voted 5-0 in early July 2026 for a one-year moratorium on hyperscale data centers (50+ MW) through July 2027; a permanent-ban push was signaled for August.
Commissioners unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on new data center applications (4-0, with one commissioner recused). The moratorium exempts rezoning applications tied to an 800-plus-acre project proposed near Roan Street earlier in 2026; the planning commission had recommended a two-year pause covering that project, but the county attorney urged the shorter, exempted version to limit legal exposure.
City Commission approved a one-year moratorium on large-scale data center applications on first reading; second and final reading set for August 3, 2026. Follows opposition to the "Project Swan" facility. Lakeland owns its utility, Lakeland Electric.
County commissioners voted unanimously on July 28, 2026 to direct staff to draft a resolution imposing a moratorium on data center applications. The length will be set at a later meeting, but commissioners said they want at least one year.
Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on the acceptance, processing, review and approval of data center and large-scale data processing facility applications in unincorporated Washington County. Exempts facilities where computer equipment is no more than 5% of gross floor area and demand does not exceed 250 kW.
Commissioners voted 5-1 to reject Project Tango, a $2 billion AI data center, without prejudice over diverging water-demand estimates, and approved a temporary halt on large-scale data center applications that went to public hearing August 27, 2026.
City commissioners voted 3-2 against a proposed AI data center ban, with the majority noting existing zoning already prevents such facilities.
Commissioners voted 4-1 to add a data center moratorium discussion to their next agenda, to study environmental and infrastructure impacts.