Florida requires data centers to bear full electric service costs

Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation requiring Florida’s regulated utilities to develop rate structures ensuring large-scale data centers bear their electric service costs.

• Main action: Governor DeSantis’ law directs regulated utilities to create rate structures that ensure large-scale data centers pay their electric service costs; FPL says its PSC-approved large-load rate already requires customers to pay 100% of any new power generation needed to serve their projects and includes engineering reviews, financial collateral, minimum monthly payments, long-term commitments, and protections if a project shuts down early.
• Context/details: The piece is an op-ed by Scott Bores, president of Florida Power & Light Company; it frames the policy as protecting Florida families and small businesses from cost-shifting and notes benefits such as added revenue to cover fixed system costs while maintaining reliability during peak demand and extreme weather.