AGP Executive Report

Coal Push Meets Grid Reality: The Trump administration announced $850M for coal plant modernization and two new coal plants, using Defense Production Act authority—framing it as reliability and lower costs, while critics call it an unnecessary subsidy. Nuclear & Coastal Risk: FPL says the St. Lucie nuclear plant remains safe despite nearly 2 miles of critically eroded shoreline flagged by Florida DEP, while erosion also threatens nearby Walton Rocks Park. Solar Momentum in Florida’s Orbit: New national data shows solar is still surging—adding most new power in Q1 and even overtaking coal in monthly share—despite Trump boosting coal. Hurricane-Ready Power for AI: A Florida-focused analysis warns data centers depend on the grid, water, roads, and disaster recovery, with many planned sites in storm-prone states. Energy Costs at the Pump: AAA reports gas prices are still volatile in Southwest Florida, with drivers in the Fort Myers area hoping for faster relief. Local Energy/Infrastructure Growth: Babcock Ranch continues expanding its commercial footprint and luxury housing, leaning on its solar-powered identity.

Coal Push: The Trump administration announced $850 million for coal plant modernization, including two new coal plants, using the Defense Production Act to bolster “energy dominance,” drawing criticism that it’s an unnecessary subsidy. Local Permitting: Cape Coral is preparing for state permitting changes under a new law that can exempt some small home projects from local building requirements, including a $7,500 permitting exemption—with officials warning it adds oversight while bypassing parts of the usual process. Healthcare Costs: The Trump administration warned 500+ hospitals nationwide to improve price transparency or face penalties up to $2 million annually, a move that could affect Florida facilities’ compliance plans. Power & Grid Reliability: Florida Power & Light is urging customers not to get complacent as hurricane season ramps up, citing recent storm drills and the need for year-round preparation. Fuel Watch: Gas prices in Florida continue to ease in recent reporting, with multiple counties showing lower diesel and premium rates in the week ending May 30. Clean-Energy Finance: Climate First Bancorp closed a $67 million funding round, signaling more institutional backing for clean-energy lending.

Municipal Power Fight: St. Petersburg City Council voted to study options for leaving Duke Energy Florida, a potential step toward a city-run electric utility amid residents’ complaints about bills and Duke’s profit model. Coal Cost Pressure: The Trump administration ordered OUC’s Stanton coal plant in Orlando to keep running past its planned retirement, raising health and cost concerns for ratepayers. Grid Resilience Buildout: FPL announced 2026 upgrades in Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties, including storm-secure underground projects, smart outage-detection devices, and major tree-trimming to cut outages. Nuclear Fuel Push: Florida startup Ampera formed an Australian subsidiary to secure thorium supply and aims to build a mine-to-fuel-chain for advanced nuclear, including TRISO kernel production in Florida. Fuel Prices Watch: GasBuddy data shows midgrade prices in Hillsborough County at $4.04 for the week ending May 30, with Florida averages easing slightly as crude and supply conditions shift. Energy + Climate Risk: A new grid-focused report says extreme heat is moving from a “tail risk” to a baseline planning condition, stressing reliability as demand grows and maintenance overlaps with hotter seasons.

Electric Grid Resilience: Florida Power & Light says it’s pushing Brevard County upgrades in 2026, including 39 Storm Secure Underground Program projects plus major tree trimming and pole inspections to cut outage risk. Nuclear Fuel Push: AMPERA announced a thorium supply and in-house fuel plan via an Australian subsidiary, aiming to feed its supercritical microreactor system. Renewables + AI: Eco Wave Power is teaming with Florida Atlantic University on WaveGPT and a wave-powered, AI-optimized coastal data center concept. Fuel Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports diesel and E85 bargains in parts of Florida (including Clay County diesel at $4.99 and Indian River County E85 at $4.09 for the week ending May 30), while premium and E15 pricing also varied by county. Energy Policy + Food Costs: USDA SNAP restrictions on non-nutritious items are now approved for Florida, adding pressure on summer food budgets. Tech + Aviation Energy: Helios Horizon says it completed Florida-based “human-piloted” test flights using solid-state batteries for electric propulsion.

Municipal Power Push: St. Petersburg and Clearwater are weighing whether to end their long Duke Energy Florida deals and study city-run electric utilities, driven by residents’ complaints about high bills and concerns over Duke’s profit structure. Fuel Watch: AAA reports Florida gas prices fell for a second straight week, with the state average down to about $3.80/gal, though AAA warns short-term jumps can still hit early in the week. Waste-to-Energy Pilot: Altamonte Springs is turning sewage sludge into usable fuels via hydrothermal liquefaction, aiming to cut PFAS in biosolids while producing oil and gas for further refining. Grid & Bills Pressure: Separate reporting highlights Florida cities exploring “going it alone” on electricity costs, underscoring how power pricing is shaping local energy decisions. Wildfire Disruption: A wildfire near Goethe State Forest in Levy County is prompting smoke warnings for Monday commuters.

Grid & Reliability: St. Pete City Council voted 4-3 to spend up to $590,000 to study leaving Duke Energy Florida and potentially creating a city-run electric utility as Duke’s 30-year franchise nears its Aug. 1 expiration. Hurricane-Ready Power: Florida Power & Light says it’s pushing Miami-Dade grid upgrades for 2026, including 203 projects under its Storm Secure Underground Program and 49 smart-grid devices to cut outage impacts and speed restoration. Nuclear Watch: Antares’ Mark-0 microreactor hit criticality at Idaho National Laboratory, the first advanced reactor milestone under a DOE pilot tied to Trump-era nuclear acceleration. Fuel Prices (Florida): GasBuddy reports show pockets of cheaper gas in the state—Okaloosa midgrade at $4.19 (week ending May 30), Citrus E15 at $3.99, Santa Rosa midgrade at $3.94, and St. Johns diesel at $4.99—while national volatility remains tied to global oil and shipping risk. World Cup Energy & Transit: Miami-Dade is rolling out match-day transit options, including a free Game Day Express shuttle for verified ticket holders, to reduce traffic during FIFA World Cup 2026.

Grid Reliability: FPL is pushing 2026 Brevard County upgrades, including 39 Storm Secure Underground Program projects, 1,161 miles of tree/vegetation trimming, and inspections of 11,164 poles to cut outage risk and speed restoration. Climate Resilience: Florida scientists are testing crossbred elkhorn corals in Dry Tortugas National Park, planting “Flonduran” corals to see if added genetic diversity helps reefs survive deadly ocean heat. Energy Security & Prices: The U.S. military says it shot down two Iranian drones threatening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring how Middle East tensions can ripple into fuel and food costs. Local Politics & Affordability: Rep. Byron Donalds drew a packed Palm Coast crowd for his “Defending the Florida Dream” tour, pitching lower regulatory burdens as a way to bring down everyday costs for Florida families. Wildlife & Conservation: SeaWorld Rescue hit a major milestone, topping 43,000 rescues, while Florida teams continue treating manatees and other injured wildlife.

Fuel Watch (Florida): GasBuddy’s latest week-ending May 30 snapshot shows scattered relief but still-high prices—diesel hit a low of $4.66 in Hernando County and $4.67 in St. Lucie County, while premium lows landed at $4.21 in Sumter and $4.27 in Miami-Dade. Biofuel/Blend Prices: E15 was cheapest at $3.49 in Hillsborough and $3.85 in Palm Beach, with Volusia’s E15 low at $3.55. Global Drivers: Multiple reports tie Florida’s pump prices to international oil swings, refinery outages, and shipping risk concerns. Sustainability in Energy Use (Sports Venues): FIFA World Cup stadiums are largely LEED-certified, with reported solar installs and major water/plastics reductions—an example of how clean power and efficiency can show up in Florida’s broader energy conversation.

Hurricane Readiness: Florida Power & Light urged residents to map evacuation and flood zones, keep gas tanks at least half full, and avoid unsafe generator hookups as the 2026 hurricane season ramps up. Grid Costs & Rates: A new U.S. electricity-price map shows sharp year-over-year jumps in many states, with grid investment and rising demand (including AI data centers) cited as drivers. Florida Energy Infrastructure: Port Everglades says a new study puts its energy-fuel economic impact at $48.3B and nearly 300,000 jobs, highlighting how petroleum handling boosts Florida’s economy. Policy & Power Markets: Europe unveiled a push for tech sovereignty, including a digital and energy roadmap aimed at expanding data center capacity and reducing reliance on non-EU tech. Florida AI Backlash: Florida’s summer data-center fight continues as local governments move to restrict AI data centers ahead of broader state action. Offshore & Fishing Rules: A snapper-season dispute in Florida reflects wider pressure to loosen fishing rules, after a federal judge blocked NOAA’s plan to exempt states from parts of fisheries restrictions.

Affordability Pressure: A new Florida op-ed argues Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposed November 2026 constitutional amendment to eliminate non-school property taxes won’t truly lower costs for most families, warning it could drain local services and shift burdens onto the less wealthy. Water & Waste Rules: Florida’s Farm Bill move would end the use of “class B” sewage sludge on North Florida farmland by 2028, tightening biosolids spreading rules and raising the stakes for utilities and farmers tied to the practice. Local Power Control: St. Petersburg approved a $590,000 feasibility study to explore leaving Duke Energy and potentially building a city-run electric utility, with a 30-year franchise expiring in August. Energy Markets in Motion: GasBuddy reports show E85 and diesel prices remain volatile across Florida counties, with the lowest E85 and diesel deals appearing in select locations during the week ending May 30. Data Center Power Costs: Oregon’s new data-center rate class is set to raise large-load electricity costs sharply, a reminder for Florida as the state weighs how to handle growing power demand from new computing projects.

Coal Push: President Trump announced nearly $700M to support coal-fired power plants and coal exports, using Cold War-era defense authorities to extend plant lives and back new builds. Municipal Power Fight: St. Petersburg City Council approved up to $590,000 for a feasibility study on leaving Duke Energy and exploring a city-owned utility, with no final decision yet as the Duke franchise nears its August expiration. Utility Rate Courtroom: Florida’s Supreme Court upheld a gas utility rate hike, backing the accounting methods used by the regulator. Renewables Financing: Miami-based Origis Energy secured $75M in financing for a diversified portfolio of solar and energy storage projects, expanding across multiple grid regions. Summer Grid Stress: LCEC highlighted how extreme heat drives higher electricity use, offering practical A/C and thermostat tips to cut cooling costs. Cuba Sanctions With Energy Impacts: New U.S. sanctions freeze assets tied to Cuba’s government and add pressure amid shortages of fuel and other essentials, drawing condemnation from Florida’s Green Party. Local Energy Costs & Housing: A builder warned Florida’s energy and building code requirements are raising construction costs and slowing permitting, squeezing housing affordability.

Florida Utility Courtroom Win: The Florida Supreme Court upheld Florida City Gas rate hikes for about 123,000 customers, backing the Public Service Commission’s use of a reserve surplus amortization mechanism to manage inflation and interest-rate swings. Fuel Prices Watch: GasBuddy data show some relief in parts of Florida, with the lowest regular prices hitting $3.89 in Palm Beach County (week ending May 30) and $3.66 in Miami-Dade County, while the statewide regular average sat around $4.19. AI Power Demand Backlash: A new poll finds Americans are among the least supportive of building new AI data centers, adding to Florida’s ongoing debate over power-hungry facilities. Hurricane Prep, Energy Angle: Florida Power & Light urged residents to keep gas tanks at least half-full and maintain EV charge between 50% and 80% ahead of the Atlantic hurricane season. Space & Energy Industry Signals: Blue Origin’s New Glenn booster recovery was a partial win, but a satellite delivery miss led to FAA grounding—another reminder of how launch reliability can ripple through energy-adjacent tech timelines.

Property Tax Fight: Florida lawmakers advanced a proposed November ballot measure to abolish property taxes for most primary homeowners, but St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch warned it could strip $78M from the city and force major cuts if it passes. Consumer Pressure: A University of Florida survey found Florida consumer sentiment slid in May, with worries tied to rising gas prices and a tick up in unemployment. Grid Reliability in Florida: Duke Energy crews are upgrading downtown St. Petersburg’s underground power network to improve storm resilience and reduce outages. Data Center Backlash: Erin Brockovich launched a platform tracking U.S. data center plans, spotlighting concerns about water and energy use as Florida and the federal government tighten scrutiny of AI buildouts. Energy & Markets Watch: SpaceX filed for an IPO targeting about a $1.77T valuation, underscoring how capital markets are still fueling big energy-and-tech ambitions. Florida Gas Context: Reports note gas price relief could be short-lived as regional tax and market pressures keep drivers on edge.

Fuel Contamination Fallout: A Punta Gorda-area investigation ties a contaminated fuel distribution failure to engine damage at multiple Florida Circle K stations, with state regulators validating fresh samples while drivers say they’re still stuck with major losses. Hurricane Readiness: Florida State Parks Foundation added another strike team trailer, aiming for at least one in each of the state’s five regions as the Atlantic hurricane season begins. Mosquito Control Push: Google is seeking federal approval to release up to 32 million male mosquitoes in California and Florida as part of its “Debug” plan to curb disease-carrying populations. Local Cost Pressure: Gas prices are easing in Florida, but local governments warn fuel-linked contract escalation could still raise costs for services like waste collection. Power & Policy: TVA’s board faces potential quorum trouble as terms expire for directors including Art Graham of Florida, raising questions about governance continuity. Consumer Safety Lawsuit: A Florida mother filed a federal suit against Campbell’s and Walmart alleging worms or parasite-like contamination in SpaghettiOs made her and her child sick. Energy Tech & Jobs: PowerSouth Energy Cooperative is expanding the Lowman Energy Center with an additional advanced-class gas turbine from Mitsubishi Power. Community & Climate: Scientists say the most extreme climate “doomsday” scenario is now considered implausible, shifting how risk is modeled.

Consumer Watch: A University of Florida survey says Floridians’ confidence slid again in May, with inflation and rising fuel costs tied to the Iran-related Strait of Hormuz disruption. Energy Prices & Policy: A fresh column argues for suspending the gas tax to ease pump pain, while noting the federal gas tax funds roads and bridges. Hurricane Readiness: The Personal Insurance Federation of Florida launched FloodReadyFlorida.com to push flood prep beyond coastal storm surge, warning inland flooding can be deadly. Space & Launch Industry: Cape Canaveral Space Force Station says Blue Origin’s New Glenn explosion sparked wildfires and damaged non-critical areas; officials say the company expects to fly again later this year. Aviation Market Shift: After Spirit Airlines’ shutdown, other carriers are adding capacity, but the reshuffle is expected to keep average fares higher and leave some smaller airports with fewer options. Tech & Environment: Google is seeking EPA approval to release millions of sterile, non-biting mosquitoes in Florida and California as part of its “Debug” pest-control plan. Global Climate Costs: Bloomberg Intelligence projects extreme weather could drive $20T+ in spending over the next decade, benefiting climate adaptation and energy-efficiency businesses.

Property Tax Fight: Florida lawmakers voted to put a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that could eliminate non-school property taxes, but critics warn local governments could lose billions without clear numbers on downstream impacts. AI & Power Demand: Erin Brockovich launched an interactive map tracking AI data centers, flagging Florida sites and pushing residents to report concerns over energy use, water demand, noise, and transparency. Local Grid Costs: St. Pete Beach ended a long-running utility undergrounding project as costs mounted, leaving some poles and wires above ground and risking saltwater storm impacts. Data Center Pushback: In Jackson County’s 2nd District race, residents and candidates are clashing over proposed AI data centers’ heavy water use and strain on the aquifer. Fuel & Affordability: A DNC list highlights gas prices staying above $3 in many states since the Iran conflict began, underscoring pressure on Florida drivers heading into summer. EV/Storage Business Moves: SPATCO expanded its Florida-facing environmental services with acquisitions aimed at fueling infrastructure compliance and tank maintenance. Space Coast Watch: Space Force updated on the Blue Origin New Glenn explosion off Florida’s coast, saying personnel were accounted for and crews worked to restore safety control before future launches.