TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – More than 100 new state laws went into effect on Wednesday. One of the laws addresses the controversy surrounding Artificial Intelligence Data Centers.
In recent months, families have filled meetings in local municipalities to express worries about the possible construction of the facilities. Their biggest concerns include water resources and electricity costs.
Governor Ron DeSantis said, “With the data centers, they take up as much power as a city with half a million people and some of them, more.” He believes Floridians shouldn’t foot the bill for the data centers.
According to the governor, the new law is aimed at protecting the state’s residents.
The legislation requires public utilities to provide certain minimum tariff and service requirements for large load customers and prohibits the governing board of a water management district from issuing a permit for the consumptive use of water to a large-scale data center, under certain circumstances.
Locally, large crowds have gathered to oppose the idea of facilities in Haines City, Fort Meade, and Lakeland.
Resident Lorena Ervin said, “We as a society cannot handle it, especially if we’re just Haines City specific, we cannot keep up or maintain any of it.”
Here is a list of the new Florida laws going into effect July 1.
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