Florida Data Center News

Apr 23, 2026

FirstNet Showcases Disaster Response Network

FirstNet showcased expanded deployable emergency communications technologies and AT&T reported delivering over 2,500 deployable solutions last year; the U.S. House voted to extend the FirstNet Authority authorization through September 2037.

Showcase announcement: FirstNet (built and operated by AT&T, overseen by the FirstNet Authority) displayed ~1,000 types of technologies and reported 2,500 deployable solutions delivered last year; AT&T highlighted a fleet of 67 deployable trailers staged across five U.S. warehouses and cited a Hartford, Tennessee deployment where 3 trailers were used to recreate a damaged central office, restoring cell sites within three days and full services by the end of the month.
Policy and technology updates: The U.S. House of Representatives voted to reauthorize the FirstNet Authority through September 2037 (preventing a 2027 sunset); federal regulators (FCC) approved AST SpaceMobile to expand direct-to-cell service using AT&T and Verizon spectrum; the showcase also featured a 45-foot landing craft (diesel-powered, 400-gallon fuel tank, 40-foot pump and hose), drones, LMR systems, 3D imaging, and direct-to-device satellite technology. Officials reported a 10% year-over-year increase in requests.

Apr 23, 2026 · Hensel Phelps

Recent Project Wins: Advancing Domestic Manufacturing Across Critical Sectors

Hensel Phelps has been selected for multiple U.S. manufacturing projects including Nammo’s rocket motor factory, Jabil’s Project Shine renovation, and SPS Technologies’ Jenkintown 2.0 redevelopment.

Main announcement: Hensel Phelps was selected as General Contractor for Nammo’s new rocket motor facility in Perry, Florida (scheduled to be operational by end of 2027), awarded as GC; awarded Construction Manager-at-Risk (CMAR) delivery for Jabil Project Shine in Salisbury, NC and for SPS Technologies Jenkintown 2.0 in Abington, PA. The Jenkintown rebuild covers a 20-acre site with a 335,500-square-foot facility including a central utility plant, substation, plating lines and a wastewater treatment plant.
Background and details:Jabil is pursuing a planned multi-year $500 million investment to expand U.S. manufacturing for cloud and AI data-center hardware (link referenced); Nammo’s expansion aims to strengthen U.S.-based solid rocket motor production and transatlantic industrial cooperation; the Jenkintown project is rebuilding after a February 2025 fire and is designed to meet at least LEED Silver certification. Delivery model timelines: Jabil & SPS use CMAR for phased execution and early cost alignment; Nammo site has clearing and groundwork underway with vertical construction to follow.

Apr 23, 2026

Region struggling with pollution, annual air quality report shows

The American Lung Association released its 27th annual “State of the Air” report.

Main findings: The report rates counties on ozone and particle pollution for 2022–2024, finding most west-central Illinois counties failed for high-ozone days; Sangamon County recorded 21 orange-status high-ozone days (2022–2024) and the Springfield-Jacksonville-Lincoln area ranked 38th worst nationally for ozone. It also reports Illinois has 229 existing or approved data centers, and cites U.S. data centers consuming ~4.4% of national electricity today with projections to double or triple by 2028 and potentially account for up to 12% of U.S. electricity within the next decade.
Context and calls to action: The report criticizes recent EPA actions as weakening protections and states “Hard-fought progress is now at grave risk.” It calls on the EPA to reaffirm public-health protections and urges Illinois policymakers to pass the Hazel M. Johnson Cumulative Impacts Ordinance, support state legislation to curb warehouse pollution, and expand zero-emission vehicle infrastructure. The report notes 33.5 million children live in areas that received a failing grade for at least one measure of air pollution.

Apr 19, 2026

Prichard Mayor says she talked to potential new developer about noise, traffic, and environmental impact concerns

Prichard Mayor Carletta Davis said she met with Edged Energy to review a proposed data center development in the City of Prichard.

Main announcement: The City hosted a Community Meeting (April 7, 2026) where Edged Energy introduced plans for a proposed data center representing an estimated $93 million investment, potentially bringing approximately 20 jobs with salaries exceeding $70,000 per year; the Mayor emphasized careful evaluation balancing community impact, economic opportunity, and long-term sustainability.
Background and details: Meeting attendees discussed noise, traffic, and environmental impact (especially water usage); Edged Energy said facilities are designed to operate quietly (“comparable to a normal conversation”), are typically sited in industrial areas, use advanced technology to reduce strain on local resources, and committed to transparency and ongoing community engagement.

Apr 16, 2026

Energy Officials Pressured to Expand Grid as AI Demand Surges

The U.S. Department of Energy, through Energy Secretary Chris Wright, told the House Energy and Commerce Committee on April 16, 2026 that surging demand from AI and data centers requires rapid expansion of generation and grid capacity.

DOE exploring federal land and existing sites to accelerate deployment of data centers alongside new power generation, citing evaluation of a former federal site in Portsmouth, Ohio; goal is to expand supply while shielding local consumers from price increases (testimony given April 16, 2026 before the House Energy and Commerce Committee).
DOE says renewables alone are insufficient for sustained AI growth; advocates permitting reforms to speed construction of generation and transmission, highlights “dispatchable” sources like nuclear as “crucial”, and identifies cybersecurity as a “major” issue while citing partnerships under the Genesis Mission with national laboratories, universities, and private industry.

Apr 16, 2026

Industry Leaders Urge Congress to Boost Chip Policy to Win AI Race Against China

Industry experts urged Congress to adopt policies to boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing, R&D, permitting reform, and tariff exemptions to better compete with China.

Main announcement: During a House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade hearing (reported April 16, 2026), four industry experts testified urging Congress to pass policies to expand chip production, increase semiconductor R&D, extend tax credits, create tariff exemptions for semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and enact permitting reform to speed construction of semiconductor fabs and data centers. Key proponents include Jason Oxman (ITI), Jason Grebe (Intel), Asad Ramzanali (Vanderbilt University), and Representatives Gus Bilirakis, Darren Soto, Kathy Castor, and Yvette Clarke.
Background and details: The article references the CHIPS and Science Act (2022) which provided more than $50 billion in manufacturing incentives, warns of funding cuts and staff layoffs at the CHIPS program and the National Semiconductor Technology Center, notes the advanced manufacturing tax credit is slated to expire at the end of this year, and cites concerns about reliance on foreign supply chains (notably Taiwan) and slower U.S. approvals for specialty chemicals compared with Taiwan, Korea, and Japan.

Apr 15, 2026

Energy company wants eminent domain for power lines in SW Pa. for data centers in Virginia

NextEra Energy Transmission MidAtlantic Inc. is seeking a certificate of public convenience from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to build the 107-mile MidAtlantic Resiliency Link and to obtain eminent domain rights in Pennsylvania.

Project details & authority: NextEra plans a 107-mile transmission line (reported as a 500-volt line in the article) from Dunkard Township, Greene County, PA to an endpoint in Northern Virginia; the project was awarded by PJM to meet data center demand and retirements, and NextEra is requesting a PUC certificate that would grant eminent domain authority.
Local impacts, economics & schedule: NextEra estimates $33 million in Pennsylvania economic output during construction and 150 construction and related jobs, while its filings state no full-time jobs will remain in-state after completion; opposition noted by the Center for Coalfield Justice cites residents’ fears of losing homes.
- Prehearing conference: May 6, 10:00 am, before Administrative Law Judge John M. Coogan (Pennsylvania PUC proceeding).

Apr 15, 2026 · IT Brief Asia

Conflow wins Frost & Sullivan award for AI streetlights

Conflow Power Group has been named Frost & Sullivan’s Global Company of the Year for its solar-powered iLamp streetlights that perform local AI processing.

Award and product details: Frost & Sullivan honoured Conflow for its iLamp product that turns streetlights into off-grid solar units with local AI processing; Conflow claims each unit can generate at least USD $4,500 a year from payments by AI companies, uses self-cleaning solar panels, powers Nvidia AI processors drawing 15 watts per unit, and says the system’s carbon footprint is near zero (no independent verification provided).
Commercial agreements and rollout: Conflow disclosed US commercial deals including an exclusive licence sold to iLamp Florida for USD $45 million and a sub-licence sold to iLamp Secure for USD $80 million under a 50-year agreement for safety tech to 4,400 Florida schools, producing an addressable market valuation of USD $777 million; the company has submitted more than 160 proposals over four months and describes deployment options including public-private partnerships funded by compute revenue and green bond financing.

Apr 14, 2026

XCF Global, Southern Energy Renewables and DevvStream Sign Definitive Business Combination Agreement with Respect to Previously Announced Proposed Three-Party Merger to Create Next-Generation Energy Platform

XCF Global, Inc. has announced the execution of a definitive Business Combination Agreement with DevvStream Corp. and Southern Energy Renewables Inc. to form a combined, globally scalable energy transition platform.

Transaction announcement and structure: The parties executed a definitive Business Combination Agreement to merge XCF, DevvStream and Southern into a combined company; DevvStream will domesticate from Alberta to Delaware prior to closing, XCF will acquire 100% of DevvStream and Southern through merger subsidiaries, and post-closing ownership is expected to be ~66.7% XCF shareholders, 23.3% Southern shareholders, and 10.0% DevvStream shareholders. The transaction remains subject to shareholder approvals, SEC Form S-4 effectiveness, Nasdaq approvals, completion of financing, plant conversion, commercial milestones and fairness opinions.
Capital, milestones and assets: XCF has invested ~$10 million in conversion of the New Rise Reno facility (permitted nameplate 38 million gallons/year) to support SAF production; Southern is expected to pursue up to $400 million in bond financing for infrastructure; the combined company is targeting annualized fuel-related revenues > $1.0 billion and minimum annualized EBITDA of $100 million, and has an aspirational target of creating a $3.0 billion combined enterprise on a future date.

Apr 9, 2026

Inside AMPERA’s Bet on Subcritical Thorium Microreactors

AMPERA announced plans to manufacture sealed, factory-produced subcritical thorium microreactors in 40-foot shipping-container form factors and to pursue prototypes, NRC engagement, lab partnerships, and a leasing/PPA business model.

Main announcement: AMPERA intends to produce containerized, factory-sealed subcritical thorium reactors that run for 30 years without refueling, with a non-fueled prototype by end-2026, a fueled prototype by end-2027, and first commercial deliveries in 2028–2029; the design targets ~15 MWe per reactor core (30 MWth → ~15 MWe) and a 30-MWe commercial option using two cores, and the company plans an eventual manufacturing rate of ~300 units per year from a contemplated 300,000-square-foot production facility near Palm Beach Gardens.
Background and implementation details: AMPERA submitted a pre-application letter to the NRC on Feb. 23, 2026, requesting an initial meeting by the end of May under 10 CFR Part 53; it is finalizing an agreement with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for TRISO fuel work and exploring testing with Idaho National Laboratory; the company will retain ownership and operate units under leases / power purchase agreements, use TRISO fuel made from natural thorium (no enrichment), proprietary liquid-metal jetting fuel fabrication protected by 66 global patents, and plans a London regional headquarters for UK/Europe expansion.

Florida Data Center Intel

Recent Florida data center news