Guest commentary: Ask governor to veto HB 1645
HB 1645 — Energy Resources was described by Sen. Tina Polsky as “anti-technology, anti-innovation, pro-fossil fuel, pro-foreign fuel and pro-preemption” when the Senate version of the bill was being debated in committee. The bill did not have unanimous support in either the House or the Senate, but it did pass and it was just sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk for his consideration.
Please join us in opposing this anti-clean energy bill by emailing the governor and asking him to veto this harmful bill.
Among other things, the bill:
– Preempts local communities from approving the placement of natural gas facilities
– Removes the current clean energy infrastructure goals in the state’s energy policy
– Repeals the Florida Energy and Climate Protection Act which would eliminate Florida’s genuine renewable clean energy grant programs, while providing “cost recovery” for the natural gas industry (which will be billed to ratepayers)
– Removes certain pipeline certification requirements which would reduce some opportunities for public input on pipeline siting
MORE REASONS TO REQUEST VETO
The legislation discourages state agencies and local governments from purchasing electric vehicles by striking the requirement that the most fuel-efficient models be selected.
The bill also prohibits the construction, operation or expansion of offshore wind energy facilities. It also tells homeowners associations that they cannot prohibit certain types or fuel sources of energy production and appliances that use such fuels in their governing documents. Mandates like these preempt self-governance and block innovations for developing cleaner and more efficient sources of energy.
Recent studies have documented the damaging costs that climate change will have on our global infrastructure, farming, productivity and our health. Studies calculate that climate change will cost an estimated $38 trillion per year by 2050. Climate researchers continue to point out that we cannot afford not to protect the climate. Yet Florida legislators choose to take several steps backward by eliminating renewable energy grants and shrinking the clean energy goals of our state.
At a time when science has shown the dangers and expense of fracking and the benefits of job-creating clean energy alternatives have been demonstrated, the bill advances laws that will add to increased emissions of dangerous greenhouse gasses at the expense of our health and our communities’ ability to regulate their own land use.
Please join the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation in asking DeSantis to veto the harmful Energy Resources Bill — HB 1645 by visiting https://p2a.co/sYEAYHj.
Founded in 1967, the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation’s mission is to protect and care for Southwest Florida’s coastal ecosystems. For more information, visit www.sccf.org.
To reach SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION, please email