Florida Legislature Advances Bill to Empower Local Oversight of Data Center Development
January 7, 2026
A new bill introduced in the Florida House of Representatives this week marks a significant legislative step in Governor Ron DeSantis's broader initiative to impose stricter regulations on the data center industry. The move reflects growing scrutiny over the rapid expansion of these energy-intensive facilities, which are critical to digital infrastructure but often face local opposition over concerns about power grid strain, environmental impact, and community character.
Filed on Monday, the proposed legislation seeks to formally establish a state policy that encourages and empowers county and municipal governments to protect their residents from potential negative effects associated with data centers. A key provision would prohibit utility companies from passing on to existing customers any costs incurred to develop new or different power sources specifically for data center projects, aiming to shield residents from subsidizing the substantial energy demands of these facilities.
The bill introduces several stringent land-use and approval hurdles for future developments. It would ban local governments from permitting data centers within areas zoned for mixed land use. Furthermore, any local government approval for a data center project would require subsequent concurrence from the Governor and the Florida Cabinet, a process mandated to follow public hearings. The proposed rules also include substantial physical buffers, requiring data centers to be set back at least 500 feet from property lines and shielded by vegetative buffering.
Industry analysts note that if enacted, these measures could significantly slow or reshape the growth trajectory of data centers in Florida, a state that has become an increasingly attractive market due to its business-friendly climate and geographic advantages. The requirement for gubernatorial and cabinet-level approval adds a unprecedented layer of state oversight to what has traditionally been a local zoning matter, potentially creating a more complex and uncertain permitting environment for developers and technology companies investing in the region.
Source: eenews
