Florida Regulators Weigh Whether Duke's Data Center Tariff Protects Residents

✓What's documented Reports live Florida PSC hearing testimony, quoting Duke Energy's spokesperson and the Earthjustice attorney representing ratepayer group Florida Rising, plus a PSC commissioner's written eligibility order.

Florida's Public Service Commission is set to rule on whether Duke Energy Florida's proposed data center tariff adequately shields residential ratepayers from the cost of serving large facilities. Consumer group Florida Rising, after Duke tried to block its participation, argued Duke has no analysis showing data centers will cover their full share of costs; Duke says a current rate settlement through 2027 puts any shortfall on shareholders, not customers. Commissioners heard testimony Tuesday but are not expected to vote until after mid-September.

• Duke Energy Florida's data center tariff proposal is under review at a Florida PSC hearing; a vote isn't expected until after mid-September.
• Earthjustice attorney Bradley Marshall, representing Florida Rising, said Duke has "no analysis" showing data centers will pay their full share of costs.
• Duke says its current rate case settlement runs through 2027 and that any revenue shortfall from a large load customer falls to shareholders, not existing customers.
• The hearing follows Florida's SB 44, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, which requires utilities to shield customers from data center-driven cost increases.
• PSC commissioner Gary F. Clark granted Florida Rising standing to participate over Duke's objection, citing its members' status as Duke customers.