The Power Paradox: Florida’s Data Center Boom and Who Really Pays the Bill

Florida’s Power Paradox

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So here’s the thing.

Florida is finally stepping into the data center conversation — and about time. As an AI accelerationist, Floridian, and someone knee-deep in the world of GPUs and power systems, I’m watching this one closely. Because what’s playing out in the Florida Public Service Commission isn’t just a local issue — it’s a glimpse at how the AI revolution collides with infrastructure reality.

For the first time, regulators are trying to figure out how to handle the energy-hungry giants that power artificial intelligence. Florida Power & Light’s proposal is front and center: they want to ensure data centers cover at least 70% of their expected energy use so everyday Floridians don’t foot the bill for the power upgrades required to feed them.

Seems reasonable, right? But dig deeper and you start to see the cracks.

The Subsidy Problem No One Wants to Talk About

If taxpayers are subsidizing private companies to build AI data centers — facilities that will then charge us a premium to use their services — that’s a problem. It’s not innovation; it’s corporate welfare dressed up as economic development.

We’ve seen this movie before. A big tech player shows up promising jobs and investment, and in exchange, the state helps pave the way — literally and figuratively. The result? Residents indirectly bankroll the infrastructure that private companies then profit from.

Let’s be clear: I’m not anti-growth. Far from it. I’m all for acceleration. But growth should be responsible — powered by smart policy and private investment, not public subsidy.

If a company wants to build a data center, great. Seek the capital. There’s a global tsunami of investment money chasing AI infrastructure right now. But that funding should include the power systems, too.

The Grid Isn’t the Future — It’s the Training Wheels

Here’s the reality most people outside the industry miss: data centers don’t actually want to rely on the grid long-term.

They want to start on grid power because it’s cheap, convenient, and scalable. But over time, the savvier operators realize that control equals stability. Running your own power systems — integrating on-site generation, energy storage, and advanced conditioning — is not only feasible, it’s strategically superior.

I’ve seen data centers that treat the grid as backup rather than lifeblood. They’ll use it as a bridge during power switching — spin up their generators, balance their systems, and transition seamlessly. They might touch the grid for a few minutes, but they own their uptime destiny. That’s where this is heading.

And make no mistake — the complexity is worth the squeeze. Because when you generate your own power, you’re not just running a data center; you’re running an ecosystem.

Florida’s Fork in the Road

The question now is: does Florida want to lead, or follow?

We’ve got all the ingredients to become an AI and compute powerhouse — abundant land, strong infrastructure, renewable potential, and a strategic location tied to undersea cable routes. What’s missing is a cohesive framework that aligns energy innovation with data innovation.

Governor DeSantis is right about one thing: Floridians shouldn’t be subsidizing the necessities of life for private enterprise. But protecting consumers shouldn’t come at the cost of progress either. We can build a model that rewards efficiency, encourages self-sufficiency, and keeps Florida’s grid resilient.

The key is forward-looking policy — one that recognizes that the next generation of data centers won’t just be connected to the grid, they’ll be partners in powering it.

A Call for Smarter Collaboration

This isn’t a fight between big tech and the public — it’s an opportunity for collaboration. Utilities, regulators, and innovators should be sitting at the same table, designing frameworks that promote investment and responsibility.

We don’t need to choose between progress and protection. We just need to stop pretending this is a zero-sum game.

So yeah — I’m glad Florida’s finally in this conversation. But let’s make sure it’s the right conversation.

Hey, Governor DeSantis — call me. Let’s talk about how Florida can power the AI future without putting the bill on our residents.

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