AGP Executive Report

Data Centers vs. Local Power: Lakeland officials discussed a one-year moratorium on data center construction after residents raised alarms about strain on electricity and water, even as the city attorney says the current code already blocks them—public hearings are set for July 20 and Aug. 3. Community Backlash: A broader national look at the data center fight says 2026 has already seen dozens of projects blocked or canceled, fueled by concerns over energy and water use. Coastal Resilience: FIU researchers installed 3D-printed seawall tiles in Miami designed to protect shorelines while giving marine life more habitat. Public Health Watch: Florida is among 17 states reporting cyclosporiasis/“explosive” diarrhea cases, with health officials urging hygiene and caution with food and water. Fuel Prices: AAA reports Florida gas averages were largely steady around $3.75 statewide over the holiday period. Waterfront Permits: Fort Pierce is weighing a settlement in a lawsuit tied to Little Jim Bait & Tackle docks, as state documents claim the city operated docks on submerged land without required permits since 2021.

Transmission Fight: A Florida-based NextEra project in Maryland is pushing to clear-cut nearly 60 acres of state “wildlands” for a 107-mile overhead line tied to rising data-center power demand, but the state Public Service Commission could still block or reshape it. AI + Power Backlash: A nationwide anti–data center protest effort is taking shape, with organizers saying hyperscale facilities are driving up electricity bills and sparking community pushback—seven Florida demonstrations are planned. Local Grid Growth: Florida utility work continues to expand capacity, including a $20 million substation project aimed at keeping up with fast-growing demand. EVs + Grid Stress: Reporting highlights how electric vehicles are being discussed as a potential stabilizer during extreme heat grid strain. Fuel Prices Watch (Florida): GasBuddy data shows midgrade gas in Liberty County hit $4.19/gal for the week ending June 27, with Florida’s statewide midgrade average at about $4.20/gal.

EV Charging in Florida: ELEKTROS (OTC: ELEK) says it’s reaffirming its push for high-speed EV charging, evaluating about 10–15 station sites under its brand in West Palm Beach, with plans tied to future agreements. Holiday Travel & Fuel Costs: AAA reports a record 72.2 million Americans traveled at least 50 miles for the July 4 period, with 85% driving; Florida drivers averaged about $3.77/gal amid rainy, slick conditions. Grid Resilience During Heat: A new report highlights how electric school buses using vehicle-to-grid can feed power back during peak stress, helping utilities during extreme heat. Consumer Protection vs. Datacenters: Consumer advocates warn a proposed Ratepayer Protection Act won’t truly shield electricity customers from datacenter-driven costs, arguing it mostly benefits utilities and big tech. Florida Energy-Adjacent Safety: A federally required warning system is planned for the Deerfield River to alert users before hydroelectric releases raise water levels, but critics worry about noise and disruption.

Grid Resilience: Electric school buses are being used for vehicle-to-grid power during summer heat, with deployed V2G projects using about 230 buses to supply roughly 8 megawatt-hours at a time, a sign Florida and other states may lean on flexible storage as demand spikes. Cooling Costs: A new debate is heating up over whether to turn A/C off or adjust thermostats while away; experts say small thermostat changes can cut cooling bills, but short trips may not save much. Fuel Prices: GasBuddy reports show volatile Florida pump prices heading into the holiday, including some of the lowest midgrade and diesel prices in specific counties during the week ending June 27. Local Land Use: In Lee County, residents are pushing back on a proposed road through Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary tied to a major development, arguing it will worsen traffic and harm protected habitat. Policy Watch: Florida’s new laws and ongoing utility and grid planning continue to shape what comes next for energy, data centers, and infrastructure statewide.

Fuel Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports show Florida fuel staying volatile heading into the July 4 weekend, with E15 hitting as low as $2.39/gal in Miami-Dade (week ending June 27) and regular midgrade and diesel deals popping up across counties, including midgrade at $3.86/gal in Clay and diesel at $4.19/gal in Sumter. Heat & Power Demand: With an extreme heatwave pushing Independence Day plans, Census data suggests Florida has near-universal air-conditioning access, while FPL is urging customers to use thermostat and efficiency tools plus its Energy Manager and On Call® bill-credit program to cut cooling costs and ease grid strain. Local Fire Risk: Dry conditions have led several Florida counties to ban fireworks due to wildfire danger, including burn bans in Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota. Grid Growth: Florida utility activity continues, including a $20 million substation project aimed at keeping up with fast-growing demand. Energy Policy & Data Centers: Florida’s new AI data center law took effect amid ongoing concerns, as communities push back on impacts to power and infrastructure.

Grid Build-Out: Kissimmee Utility Authority broke ground on a $20 million substation to handle Central Florida’s fast-growing electricity demand, targeting up to 80 MW of transformer capacity (expandable to 120 MW) for a 9-square-mile service area. AI Power Debate: Nassau County paused a proposed hyperscale data center after residents pushed back over impacts tied to NextNRG, shifting the plan toward a solar farm while officials review effects for up to a year—another sign Florida’s AI infrastructure fight is getting local. Nuclear Tech in Florida: AMPERA unveiled what it calls the world’s first full-scale 3D-printed thorium reactor module in Palm Beach Gardens, an unfueled silicon carbide core and pressure vessel aimed at commercial deliveries in the 2028–2030 window pending NRC approval. Heat & Reliability: A brutal eastern U.S. heatwave hit peak temperatures, straining power grids and disrupting Independence Day events, with extreme heat warnings and “feels like” readings pushing dangerous levels. Local Resilience Planning: Punta Gorda city leaders discussed long-term utility capital plans for water and wastewater upgrades to keep systems reliable and storm-resilient.

Florida Data Centers Law: Florida’s new large-scale data center rules took effect July 1, aiming to keep costs off ratepayers while letting local governments push back on projects; lawmakers and officials say it’s a start, but transparency and stronger guardrails are still on the table. Grid & Cooling Pressure: A brutal East Coast heatwave is forcing cancellations and straining power systems, while research highlights how the U.S. still lacks a federal disaster framework for extreme heat—an issue that hits Florida households and utilities hard every summer. St. Pete Redevelopment: St. Petersburg’s “Burg Bid” is advancing an $8.1B plan for the Historic Gas Plant District around a new civic park and the Woodson African American Museum, with major housing and mixed-use components tied to the Tropicana Field area. Heat-Related Costs: A new ranking of summer electricity bills puts Florida among the highest expected cooling-cost states, underscoring why energy bills and heat safety are colliding for residents. Travel & Fuel Watch: With record Fourth of July road trips, AAA reports higher gas prices in Florida versus last year, while local enforcement and traffic monitoring ramp up across the state. Coral & Ocean Heat: NOAA-backed monitoring in the Florida Keys is tracking coral stress as El Niño-driven warming accelerates bleaching risk.

Grid & Heat Stress: New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged residents to set A/C at 78 degrees to ease strain on the power grid during a brutal Fourth of July heat wave, drawing sharp GOP backlash and renewed debate over how much Americans should conserve energy. Florida Energy Costs: A Tallahassee lawn-care report says rising fuel and labor costs are pushing prices up and shrinking service areas as gas-powered equipment gets more expensive to run. Local Power Infrastructure: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Florida’s 2026-27 budget but vetoed $3.5 million for the College of the Florida Keys’ chiller plant infrastructure, a cooling upgrade tied to campus-wide air conditioning needs. Data Centers & Water/Energy Politics: A Florida-focused story on the state’s data center law taking effect flags lingering questions about what comes next, as residents and lawmakers keep pressing over grid and resource impacts. Reinsurance Market: Aon says Florida had one of its best property catastrophe reinsurance renewal seasons in more than a decade, with double-digit pricing reductions for many placements. Public Health & Heat-Season Pressure: A national update on cyclosporiasis highlights a surge ahead of the holiday weekend, underscoring how summer strain hits both health systems and everyday life.

Grid & security: Florida lawmakers and port officials are pushing stronger drone controls around seaports, with Rep. Jimmy Patronis (R-Fla.) and Rep. Mike Haridopolos (R-Fla.) backing the Seaport Security Act of 2026 to create restricted low-altitude airspace and boost detection/mitigation at ports. Local development: St. Petersburg has selected Blake Investment Partners for the Historic Gas Plant District/Tropicana Field redevelopment, aiming for thousands of income-restricted homes plus jobs, parks, and cultural anchors. Permits & housing: Cape Coral says HB 803 is now in effect statewide, creating a narrow permit exemption for some small residential projects under $7,500, but most work in flood-prone areas won’t qualify. Energy costs & summer demand: With Fourth of July travel underway, AAA reports the national gas average is down to about $3.83/gal, while Florida counties like Lee and Collier sit just under $4. Policy & consumer pressure: Florida’s AG is investigating Fair Isaac over alleged anticompetitive practices tied to FICO credit scores, raising questions about potential consumer cost impacts.

Grid & Growth: Kissimmee Utility Authority broke ground on the $20M Van Meter Substation, targeting up to 80 MW (expandable to 120 MW) to keep pace with northwest Kissimmee development, with service expected in summer 2027. Nuclear Preparedness: Duke Energy and county officials will test outdoor warning sirens around Brunswick Nuclear Plant July 1, with brief siren sounds and no EAS interruption unless it’s a real emergency. Data Centers & Power Costs: Florida’s first statewide large data center law took effect Tuesday, aiming to protect electric customers from rate impacts while adding water protections and long-term study—though some earlier, more stringent provisions were dropped in the final deal. Cooling Costs: A new national report ranks Florida ninth for summer home cooling cost burden, with the average bill around $207 a month and households spending a higher share of income on electricity during peak months. Local Energy Redevelopment: St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch is set to announce the developer pick for the Historic Gas Plant District redevelopment, a major $8B proposal tied to housing, a new park, and public infrastructure. Health & Energy Link: Florida appears in a growing U.S. cyclospora outbreak list, underscoring how public health and community resilience can collide with hot-weather strain.

Florida Heat & Power Costs: Florida’s July 4 weekend is shaping up to be brutally hot and humid, with heat indices in the 100s and scattered storms offering only brief relief—while officials warn about heat stroke and staying hydrated, especially for seniors and people juggling rising power bills. Holiday Travel Pressure: AAA expects more than 4 million Floridians to drive over 50 miles for the holiday, with extra state troopers cracking down on speeding, distracted driving, and impaired driving as gas prices ease but remain higher than recent years. New Florida Laws (July 1): A new batch of laws kicks in, including restaurant fee transparency, tougher rules for repeat traffic offenders, pet buyer protections, and data center utility cost safeguards meant to stop large facilities from shifting electric and water costs onto residents. Cuba Sanctions Tightened: Florida’s new FIRE law takes effect, expanding restrictions and penalties for businesses and officials tied to Cuba and other designated hostile countries. Energy Industry Watch: Bipartisan concern is growing around the Dominion–NextEra $67B merger review process, with lawmakers urging regulators to scrutinize impacts on jobs and power reliability.

Florida energy bills & audits: Florida Power and Light’s recent rate changes have some Pensacola-area customers seeing higher bills, and a local report points to professional home energy audits as a way to find where power is being wasted. Solar outlook: A new regional analysis says Florida’s solar buildout is leading the Southeast, but expiring federal tax credits are already reshaping utility plans and could slow new additions later this decade. Grid & policy: Florida’s July 1 law changes include a ban on local net-zero emissions policies, adding to the state’s tightening approach to climate and energy planning. Utility merger pressure (outside Florida, big for Florida utilities): A Virginia public utilities attorney argues regulators should use a “public benefit” standard when reviewing the NextEra–Dominion merger, warning consolidation could raise rates and reduce competition. Ports & security: Florida lawmakers back the Seaport Security Act of 2026 to address drone threats near maritime infrastructure.

Florida energy policy & utilities: Sen. Angus King urged FERC to block NextEra’s proposed Dominion Energy purchase, warning it would concentrate too much regional market power; the deal would serve about 10 million customers across several states including Florida. EV charging buildout: Electrify America is expanding its NACS rollout, adding NACS connectors to more busy sites in Florida and beyond, aiming to keep CCS and NACS drivers moving during conversions. Grid & data-center pressure: Florida’s July 1 law changes include new rules for large data centers and “large load” utility customers, plus a broader push on grid security and storm resilience. Local governance limits: Florida’s new anti-net-zero law takes effect July 1, restricting local governments from pursuing net-zero emissions goals. Fuel prices & travel: Gas prices are falling heading into the Fourth of July, but analysts warn they could jump again if Strait of Hormuz tensions flare. Heat and power demand: A report on Europe’s heat stress underscores why Florida’s heavy air-conditioning reliance matters as heat advisories and extreme indoor-temperature guidance ramp up. Cartel fuel smuggling: Treasury/OFAC and FinCEN targeted CJNG-linked fuel theft and cross-border smuggling schemes tied to tax evasion. EV infrastructure company move: ELEKTROS says it’s shifting focus toward securing sites for 10–15 high-speed EV charging stations under its brand.

Florida Energy & Grid Policy: Florida’s July 1 law wave kicks in with major focus on data centers and who pays for their power and water—state regulators are told to ensure new utility bills from data centers don’t land on Florida taxpayers, part of a broader push that also includes grid cybersecurity measures. Nuclear Safety Culture: A new nuclear power piece argues the U.S. is seeing a resurgence driven by AI-driven electricity demand, but warns Florida and other operators must prioritize safety culture and “facilitative leadership,” not just getting plants online fast. Heat & Cooling Reality Check: A Florida-linked commentary on Europe’s deadly heatwave says the real difference isn’t climate alone—it’s whether people can access effective air conditioning, with Florida cited as a place that manages extreme heat better than some countries. Water & Fire Restrictions: Southwest Florida extends “extreme” water shortage rules through Oct. 1 (one-day-per-week outdoor watering) and Manatee County keeps a burn ban in place due to drought conditions. Energy-Adjacent Consumer Notes: Florida’s 2026 sales tax holidays are set (back-to-school July 20–Aug. 20; hunting/fishing/camping Sept. 1–Dec. 31).

Cyber & Grid Resilience: The U.S. House passed a bipartisan bill led by Florida Rep. Laurel Lee to protect the power grid from foreign cyberattacks, physical threats, and severe weather, creating a new Senate-confirmed leadership role. Big Electricity & Mergers: A new report flags a surge in electricity megamergers as AI-driven demand accelerates, with NextEra’s Dominion bid among the headline deals. Data Centers vs. Ratepayers: Florida’s new approach pushes large AI data centers to cover more of their own utility costs, while local governments keep zoning and permitting power—amid growing local pushback over water and grid capacity. State Budget Fallout: Gov. DeSantis signed the 2026-27 budget while vetoing about $1.7B, with cuts hitting programs including PACE senior care expansions and other local initiatives. Cooling Costs & Heat: A Consumer Affairs ranking puts Florida among the priciest states to cool homes this summer, as forecasts point to a hotter, stormier midweek. Local Energy/Infrastructure: FPL highlighted science-backed reliability work at its Reliability Assurance Center, focusing on failure analysis and pre-deployment testing. Fraud & Enforcement: Florida AG Uthmeier announced charges tied to an organized EBT fraud scheme, underscoring enforcement around public assistance.

Data Center Water Freeze: DeSoto County is moving toward a one-year pause on new data center proposals after residents raised alarms about water demand, noise, and the scale of a planned gas-powered campus, including CEO-stated daily water use that could range up to 3 million gallons. Grid Tech Shift: A new push for “virtual power plants” is turning home batteries and smart thermostats into fast-responding grid support, aiming to relieve local capacity strain as AI-driven demand and extreme heat collide. PFAS Cleanup Breakthrough: UF researchers developed a reusable gel that can pull PFAS (“forever chemicals”) like PFOA from water more effectively than many commercial options, using a “molecular Velcro” approach and allowing solvent washout for reuse. Local Resilience Planning: Florida’s Department of Health in DeSoto County is urging people with disabilities or special needs to register for the Florida Special Needs Shelter Registry ahead of peak hurricane season. Florida Earthquake Report: A 6.1 quake west of Cuba was felt across Florida, with no tsunami threat expected.