AI GridWatch — Florida data center updates https://aigridwatch.com/states/florida Data center moratoriums, proposals, and community-impact headlines for Florida, from AI GridWatch. en-us Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000 FLORIDA: Pinellas Park approves data center moratorium https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi7wFBVV95cUxOUVRSRkRCRjFkMUppTDZjdE9RYVg0WjBWaktiTnVaZlVjTDk4OHdWdHV4Z1pINzJJNHI1NlU1Ry1UbjQzSGtnem8wNmwwUF9zOGZLNTNyNGlqYVdILTJ2cVJRRk13Sjh5ako4eWtVblpvWFdPaUdrWi1ha1EybnNsWVJwUlRqNUpVTzB0azhmNzRkekFaSUYtQm5kTHRpRVlXeTJoaWVBMVg2OVF0VmRhLWdvMjU2eW5GVDFtUm5sZzJvS044YWJSbDVEbEVGXzVZcUJEeDZhVDdva2d4alVkTWlkLVc5RDlubTg2emcwaw?oc=5 story-d6299a00 Sun, 16 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Via thegazette.com Charlie Crist promises 1-year moratorium on data centers if elected, at least https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMivgFBVV95cUxPcTlnRjZNd0Z1czVoc3BBdTVuN1UyQi1hUV9tazFPMHdackpfY3RVZHBiNEtjVHZYcEREa2kyVl96cDd1d3dJcXhUaGNTakpNbVU0SU9aRjJ1eDNWZk41ZDRXNDdVRHpKb01kM0QxanRCa2Nld1dYcjUyQUM5a0xMLXZnZUxCSGlrSEk4Z0wzdUNGb1ZnSjB3dXVqMnJ0UDF2Yi1zdzZHVXc3WVctSGl4cDZjZzdtMlRPV25wMVhR?oc=5 story-6c58996d Sat, 15 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Via Florida Politics Palm Beach County: data center moratorium — Enacted https://aigridwatch.com/communities/palm-beach-county-fl mora-palm-beach-county-fl Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Zoning-in-progress freeze on AI data center applications in unincorporated areas, 5-2; up to 1 year or until new zoning adopted. Project Tango (filed pre-freeze) was rejected 5-2 Escambia County: data center moratorium — Enacted https://aigridwatch.com/communities/escambia-county-fl mora-escambia-county-fl Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Ban on large-scale data centers (50+ MW) in unincorporated areas. Resolution passed 5-0 on Jul 23, ordinance approved 4-1 in Aug. Small server rooms (accessory use) still permitted Santa Rosa County: data center moratorium — Enacted https://aigridwatch.com/communities/santa-rosa-county-fl mora-santa-rosa-county-fl Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000 12-month moratorium in unincorporated areas; residents at the Jul 9 hearing pressed for an outright permanent ban. Follows SB 484 (DeSantis) granting local authority to restrict data centers DeSoto County: data center moratorium — Enacted https://aigridwatch.com/communities/desoto-county-fl mora-desoto-county-fl Wed, 12 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000 1-year moratorium on new data-center rezoning, approved 4-0 (one commissioner recused). Does not apply to rezoning applications already tied to an 800+-acre data-center project proposed earlier in 2026, which can still advance. Taylor County: data center moratorium — Rejected https://aigridwatch.com/communities/taylor-county-fl mora-taylor-county-fl Wed, 12 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Motion to impose a data-center moratorium failed at the commission's first public discussion on data centers; commissioners instead scheduled a public workshop for Aug 25. Citrus County: data center moratorium — Enacted https://aigridwatch.com/communities/citrus-county-fl mora-citrus-county-fl Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000 1-year freeze on new data-center rezoning applications, development orders and building permits, adopted unanimously; the Holder Industrial Park project it was aimed at was later withdrawn by the developer AI data centers on the Suncoast: Community meeting draws 150 as North Port schedules expert workshop https://news.google.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?oc=5 story-273d077a Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Via ABC7 WWSB AI data centers spark noise, environmental concerns as South Florida communities weigh moratoriums https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi2AFBVV95cUxPOFdsdDFZSGgxVjlSQkVkamJYeU5VcDdlMFZpUnJiUElGcmNINE5pUlB5UThBSlBjZEVsa2ZHMGlvZDBIME83VGtVZkFSYWctY3BHbkl1aHZmcnpkT0RUeTg5N045WkpxcEVZb2lYdWRCMjBWMHY1V1ZGdFY4aHc2YlduT0tEMXdvQ2l6aHlSZmpZWm1DcG53U1g4MWdodlNtV2poYjZHRV8tWFp4bjlGSWhmYUhSSmdmWGRmdEczOFVpdTJyRG5MSXRZdzhrYS1VVUZ6dGZjT0E?oc=5 story-10904794 Wed, 05 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Via WPTV Hillsborough County moves toward moratorium on AI data centers https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqwFBVV95cUxQN21UR2g4RFJnbk9sNUdka09Xb3VSS3lKb0hQLV9qaGt1dlZnU0RSRThaampFZFBhSmNOOERBQV80T2VQYUc0ZldUbWRZdlVHX3pyVHNVMnBkMVVqWC1jUUw3aVVMVkJTcUtENUNXaVlFUlhESW1FRmNsMWJqejd4VUF1RXAzdGpjVTZ3YnI1YjU0N1VMYjF2TkZGTzdkU3dEMFE5dlVwM1lNbjg?oc=5 story-015e9fae Wed, 05 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Via Florida Politics Flagler County: data center moratorium — Enacted https://aigridwatch.com/communities/flagler-county-fl mora-flagler-county-fl Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000 1-year, unanimous on second reading. Unincorporated county only — municipalities including Palm Coast are unaffected. Amended to drop the 'large-scale' qualifier, so it covers all data center types Lakeland: data center moratorium — Enacted https://aigridwatch.com/communities/lakeland-fl mora-lakeland-fl Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000 1-year, 4-3; covers any use drawing 50 MW or more, not just data centers. Took effect immediately Pasco County: data center moratorium — Enacted https://aigridwatch.com/communities/pasco-county-fl mora-pasco-county-fl Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000 1-year on large data center construction, passed unanimously Manatee County: data center moratorium — Enacted https://aigridwatch.com/communities/manatee-county-fl mora-manatee-county-fl Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Approved unanimously; term not documented in the coverage read, so no end date is recorded here — confirm the ordinance before citing a duration Sarasota County: data center moratorium — Enacted https://aigridwatch.com/communities/sarasota-county-fl mora-sarasota-county-fl Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000 1-year freeze approved 5-0 on accepting, reviewing or approving hyperscale applications (50 MW+ under the state definition); commissioners signalled interest in a permanent ban Edgewater voters could decide whether to ban certain data centers in November https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiyAFBVV95cUxPbXRCY2RoYTctc2FRNVMyNE5LbkkyUkh1ODVYNnF4QkxBZUhPZ3h0OV9YbFFZLTVwcThxM3ZoS18zTWFYdWd4R0REd01YSWNxdm9qOGxGZUhOYnRZTkhQY2tWTl9DSGVFbzMxUWtSdEVZVHFqak1QNEl1N2hBV2xydE1NaUcxQ1dMMFVyU1NJNE1wbEJ3Mjh5QzZKWHRySGVra0VmOS16MjNrQW9PSWdPT1hkTE42eHF5VVlUYXFHU2thRlZNMUVTeQ?oc=5 story-bf4f75f9 Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Via WKMG In Manatee County, Fla., a Data Center Moratorium Looms https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiogFBVV95cUxOZVkxSzlWTEt5U3lvdWI2dzIyeVp5SUs0cUxlQ2Y3MUV0V05kc1p5NTR4YWpaN04tdWN0dzB3cDdkMHJCd3piZW9UV1A0cDJOT3NLa1g5dzZ5d3NnSjJNS19ld0dMeUl5b1NiMkVNY01scFlFcGJOWnBCR1ZwUHBTYl9FOG1nR0RVVWktQ1pDWGRELXhzX3ZPckU4cTB6cEE3VHc?oc=5 story-ec209de3 Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Via GovTech DeSoto approves data center moratorium, but controversial project can advance https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikwFBVV95cUxQQ1pvRlFGRGRzVTVYOTB1bnVraDVmNmdOZHBqa2V0bjVuSFlnSnhpb0FCazV1bnJ2Mml0elNoOVcxdEFxM0ZwNmJSWnQ4eHpvcUg2ZVNCZ3hmdDEwVGxOVU5UYTZqTkE5WVVqYXFZd3QzQ2F3TDk3SXc1bWd5bGI0SHhMZWxTbGltOVNGU0VHdWl4WEE?oc=5 story-0d00036a Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Via Suncoast Searchlight Byron Donalds files legislation to block AI data centers from using public power, water https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMihAFBVV95cUxONHF3MkZkR1BrMF9UN2xCbjVydEQ0ei01YnFBbFVQVWxIajV0VU1BVzAwaTNsZFZ1S24zbl8wTXp0QVVGbllqTnFIdmpoWjdFT1ZLOVU2MDVWTkpVdU84cE8yUFBVS1pOS0dVamp4UTJoRjNBVU0weVc4Nk9VUFJWNTRfRnQ?oc=5 story-09857538 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Via Florida Politics Taylor County Commission votes down data center moratorium, residents wonder what comes next https://news.google.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?oc=5 story-fda99465 Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Via WCTV Amid stark opposition, data center developers think twice about Florida https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilwFBVV95cUxQZndXZERja0Z1QkR3ZG0tSkpfaTdjbkp1VUZONGhKVXY0eVJsdEUtLVJZaDd6VzJTTWhZU3J3X3lkTWEyeHdRMGdxSVYxc21CM0pVNUFKUTgwTG9XN3BuREZzRm5lQUdIVkh3N1I1VTlTV2xRN2YwVUZzWkVXTTVRRHVPcG9DcjJ0eGxoYWxZRHd6cTE2U0pv?oc=5 story-c673aa2c Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Via Politico Uncertain environmental impacts prompt DeSoto County to pursue data center moratorium https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitgFBVV95cUxObVl1UWlJQlRkZ0QyaWxLdXBZRVNFS1l5R2VqS1hpMFhlNVdKbDBmeXdUY2lXc1ZZdW1zbUZ4cENZbC0yNzc4NUVWV3RKSThRclh4OVMtSDdwQ05BQ2FNYmkySHZlOG9tWGo4QlV0OXkyZFVoc0R2bzZIRkxIUjVhRW1qdldNYXd2NVNrMmZKOVhKQWNvTEVaelVDcWxmZGh0SG5EQnNqV18xOGdzTjhhOE9tUHdLUQ?oc=5 story-b2049ccf Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Via WGCU Company Withdraws Controversial Industrial Park Data Center Proposal in Citrus County https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiuwFBVV95cUxPeVVVSUNxczE2Y2VpMkozTHAycDMyYWJ4Vlk2dzhCb3VkVjA2b1k1S2s3UGhLRXFDbHBGVDA1YkhYWUhaa0RodmNFSnRfckhYS2ZYRFlQdjl3UjBCRHBwMGNPZmlNUThyT0FqbkUwdW13R3hrbkZSazBxek1qcFViZzVLQTRwMjhNcnZlNmNDZ3h4b1Z0UGtMRmRCZGZGY21ldjJ3MGQyNGloSUdPb2ltd2JrSDhkVXBVaEE0?oc=5 story-2950079c Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Via 352Today.com Deltona Corporation has withdrawn its applications for land tied to future data center in Citrus County: BOCC https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi9gFBVV95cUxQUWg1QmVtaHNKRDlkZmhPVE1LaU5FeFFmbUV4SElOUnhlbElsV3Fkcjl1YXJmZDdhX0t2TUV5Rm85Wjlpa2hPWVhVV0RMWGdTSE1MZlU2T180dXk1QnBjQmZtZC02UU51dWw2bDdUYmpqajRJU3hTSVp1bWVOSFBQbW1NdW1DR3NPczBQamlvNTJOQ3pkdENjS2lpOEpuOHk3b1dpWnpRbDBHZDdzY2R0Vkd5Q2NwbjhrWUgwQ3lfRVp3M1YtQnBWbnpZcE5ZSXg1c2w5VkZxdzM2M2JBV19qQm5iME5NNEpnRG1kMGh4akhTcmZnVWc?oc=5 story-3b9e4995 Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Via tampabay28.com Kathy Castor seeks guarantee ratepayers won’t cover added costs from data centers https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiwwFBVV95cUxPeVZsVWJ1SEctVVR2b3M2WVpzOTZ0Ml8wMkNkaFVlZGFSdWxXTXJ5aDRIT0tpa1J6aFJpdjNMZWFjWFZyMThEWmxRaFhSMk1iWDJUYlNkLXFTLWtJSGpxeGxaTmtaX2FsUzJ2Qzc2UVFzZHBGdHFSSjlFbENxc0paV3dEM1JLY3A3QUVMUUI4NUZyUFFzRldlcDEzdFNIVmZDNGE1b1BSWGZUSk1WRXNPVkk3TjZBQWVkT3czX01ma09wUEk?oc=5 story-1c2f3f82 Sun, 21 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Via Florida Politics Citrus County panel rejects Holder Industrial Park data center rezoning https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi0gFBVV95cUxOOUxOekthNk0wVUdQN01rZ25jdG05TGl6MUs2ZXJZMS1SOWNYMk54Uzl4c3BwSDFuQXhwaV9tdDIwOVVzNERUcFFTSjl4bDN6MnJYSDQwc2RmRjBVODFkRllCNUZpQzI1cnhIMFFjREF6a1VkYW4xeWdZM19SMkhPTm9Bal9xS1M1U2hObnNuZHZ0OU5MM1c0WTZzUTdicXlrUHh4bGtqWTJSb1hMaXFXZUczVXBxOVJNcG1kY3B5bGNjc2hLYjNidnFERG90R2w0elE?oc=5 story-640783f4 Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Via Spectrum Bay News 9 Lakeland residents call for mora­torium as proposed data center remains under review https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiggFBVV95cUxOOFRwQ2o5c09UbUZ3X016OG9TQkM5WGFhcDVqZndaSGR3c1pza19WUmI4NlZwRzJ1eFB1TzBHaFlfZVhUcVI2dzJ5SDJBWnlBbUNXZ3dNUjlpZVZQYXhXRjFpWGg2eE04dUJaQ1oxM3oyNko1clByQVVHY1pzZ0dYbW5R?oc=5 story-4608e4dd Mon, 08 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Via Spectrum Bay News 9