EcoAction Alert

FNPS members understand the threat climate change represents to native plants and native plant communities. Coastal wetlands and aquatic plant communities are imperiled by sea level rise, intensified storms and coastal flooding, and changing temperatures and precipitation patterns are inducing observable impacts to native flora across the state. These impacts will likewise induce a chain of cascading impacts to native wildlife that will only increase over time.

Please take a moment to email or telephone the office of Governor Ron DeSantis and ask him to veto HB 1645 - the regressive Energy Resources bill passed by the Legislature and set to him for his signature.

• The most disturbing aspect of HB 1645 is the fundamental re-framing of Florida’s approach to energy production and management it would implement by deleting all references to climate change and any recognition of the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

• While the state is poised to abdicate leadership on energy, and no longer wishes to serve as an example of thoughtful energy policy, business and industry increasingly recognize the benefits of embracing renewable energy and new technologies. The state needs to be a leader, not a follower, on intelligent energy policy.

• This bill further erodes home rule authority by preempting the ability of local governments to regulate where natural gas storage and distribution facilities can be developed within their own communities.

• HB 1645 deletes current direction to all state agencies and local governments that procure fleet vehicles under state purchasing plans to consider fuel efficiency when making such purchases. Providing flexibility in procurement decisions is warranted; however, rejecting consideration of fuel efficiency is neither thoughtful energy policy, nor fiscally responsible to taxpayers.

• Development of wind energy in our coastal waters and near-shore areas would be banned entirely. Florida has not developed any wind energy facilities, so this is a solution to a non-existent problem. A cautious approach to future development of wind energy that considers potential for impacts to wildlife, property values and local economies is justified. An outright ban of such promising technology is simplistic and nonsensical. NOT cautious.

There are other problematic provisions in HB 1645. Those detailed above are sufficient to justify a veto. Nothing in this legislation is so time-critical that it demands immediate action. Energy policy is too important to be based on a rush-job. Please tell the Governor to veto this bill and direct the legislature to come back with a more carefully considered attempt at energy policy next year.

You can contact Governor DeSantis via email at GovernorRon.DeSantis@eog.myflorida. com, or by phone at (850)488-7146.