A new state law limits Florida communities’ goal of offsetting greenhouse gas emissions that warm the global climate and fuel disasters like hurricanes.
Specifically, HB 1217 prohibits local governments from pursuing net zero emissions goals. At least 10 cities and counties have implemented such policies, including Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando and Leon County, home to the state capital Tallahassee. But the new law won’t necessarily increase those policies, said Bradley Marshall, senior attorney at Earthjustice, an advocacy group.
“This is definitely to scare municipalities and local governments from taking steps towards a net zero policy,” he said. “Now its exact impact and what exactly it bans is probably a matter of debate. The things that are adjacent to it — policies to reduce emissions and even climate change mitigation — on the face of it, a ban on adopting a net zero policy won’t be as bad.”
The measure requires local governments to annually submit an affidavit verifying eligibility to the state Department of Revenue. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the measure on Earth Day, April 22, and the law will go into effect on July 1. It states that “net zero policies, carbon taxes and assessments, and emissions trading programs harm this state’s energy security and economic interests and are inconsistent with this state’s energy policy and environmental policy.”
Rep. “I proudly sponsored HB 1217 to fight for jobs and affordability in Florida,” according to a statement from the office of Rep. Berny Jacques (R-Clearwater). “This bill protects our residents and businesses from additional costs by saving our state from Green New Deal policies. Carbon taxes and fees are not welcome in the Free State of Florida.”
DeSantis introduced the law in 2024 by removing several instances of the words “climate change”. reframing the state’s fossil fuel-based energy policy around reducing dependence on state code and external sources and strengthening energy infrastructure against “natural and man-made hazards.” The measure also scrapped targets aimed at increasing the use of renewable energy. The goals were launched in 2022 after 200 Floridians. all under 25 years of agepetitioned for legislation calling for the state to move toward 100 percent clean energy by 2050, a benchmark scientists say is necessary to avoid the worst effects of climate change.
“This bill is, of course, part of a larger coordinated push by fossil fuel industry political activists to block any means — statutory or legislative — of holding the industry accountable for its contributions to climate change,” he said. “Florida is really on the front lines. So I imagine the governor is taking this step because he sees what’s coming down the pike. It’s not getting better. So I can only assume it’s an effort to satisfy some of the pressure he’s getting from donors and his party to protect the industry. And he’s doing it at the expense of his constitution.”
there is overwhelming scientific consensus fossil fuel emissions since the industrial age have accelerated the warming of the planet and caused more extreme disasters such as hurricanes, he said. one to learn It has now concluded that it is scientifically reasonable to link individual issuers to specific damages for litigation purposes.
HB 1217 also prevents local governments from purchasing items such as vehicles or appliances for the fuels they use or the production of the items. Local governments cannot participate in carbon trading programs or use public funds to support other organizations with net zero policies. Cities and states also cannot charge taxes or fees on carbon emissions.
When the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) announced its commitment to net zero emissions by 2050 in 2020, the municipal utility and the city were recognized as leaders in a state where most local governments at the time focused more on climate impacts such as sea level rise and flooding. The commitment triggered one of the greatest evolutions in public service in its nearly century-long history, communal leaders said at the time. OUC is the second largest municipal utility in the state, serving more than 288,000 customers in Orange and Osceola counties.
“We are aware of the legislation on the net zero emissions policy,” the OUC said in a statement to Inside Climate News. “Our focus remains on providing reliable, affordable energy while continuing to reduce our carbon footprint (CO2).2) emissions in a responsible and balanced manner. Since 2020, we have made significant progress in reducing CO2 We remain committed to further reducing emissions, including a 50 percent reduction by 2030 and a 75 percent reduction by 2040.”
Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale, Broward and Miami-Dade counties are also pursuing net-zero emissions goals by 2050. Miami, Miramar, Pinellas County and Sarasota have similar goals.
But in Leon County, leaders took a few steps back in response to HB 1217. They repealed the 2023 resolution declaring a climate emergency. They also withdrew plans to phase out fossil fuel vehicles and amended policy to remove the mandate for recycled paper. The Paul Russell Road facility, which the county touted as the first government building in the country to achieve net zero certification, will lose that certification, though the building’s solar and energy efficiency systems will continue to operate unchanged.
Susan Glickman, CLEO Institute’s vice president of policy and partnerships, worries the law could have a chilling effect on other local policies aimed at moving Florida to cleaner energy.
“This means that everyone will be paying more on their electricity bill and there are a lot of people who can accept higher energy bills,” he said. “But there are a lot of people who can’t do that, and it’s happening at a time when housing prices, food prices and insurance prices are high. And because of that, there are people out there who are suffering.”
This story appeared first Domestic Climate News.
Amy Green covers the environment and climate change from Orlando, Florida. He is a mid-career journalist and author whose extensive coverage of the Everglades is featured in the book MOVING WATER, published by Johns Hopkins University Press, and the podcast DRAINED, available wherever you get your podcasts. Amy’s work has been recognized with many awards, including the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award and an award from the Association of Public Media Journalists.
