Florida repeals energy policies in face of new law

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCJB/Gray Florida Capital Bureau) - The state is in the process of repealing its renewable energy goals. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services proposal said the goals are unnecessary after Governor Ron DeSantis signed a new climate bill last month. However, climate activists say the state is moving in the wrong direction with this new law.

Utilities across Florida increased renewable energy sources, like solar, for a couple of years to meet the state’s renewable energy goal of 100% by 2050. But that goal will be gone next month.

“We already weren’t going far enough and we decided to take a step back from what we’ve already been doing,” Sierra Club Florida’s policy director Luigi Gudarrama said.

Florida’s new energy law makes several changes to state energy policies starting July 1. They include deleting the requirement for the Department of Ag to establish renewable energy goals, removing references to cut greenhouse gas emissions, banning offshore wind farms, and encouraging cost-effective and affordable energy. Gudarrama said people across the state will notice the change.

“Not only are they going to feel the impacts of that when it comes to storms when it comes to record heat, but also when it comes to the higher prices they are going to have to pay for energy,” Guadarrama said.

The new law also eases natural gas pipeline regulations, which fuels most of Florida’s power plants. Consumer Energy Alliance’s Kevin Doyle says the state needs several energy options.

“I think what Florida has proven is that you can have a diverse fuel mix, which has to include natural gas, but you can promote solar and nuclear and different energy sources,” Doyle said.

Doyle said it’s all about making sure Florida’s energy is reliable, especially after a storm.

“Because we need to get back to business after we have a storm, and we have the ability to, this bill helps to provide resources to local communities to make sure we have the ability to get back,” Doyle said.

Renewable energy generated about 6% of the electricity used in the state in 2021 according to an analysis of the new law. Under the new law, the Public Service Commission must evaluate using nuclear power technology, like small modular reactors to meet power needs.

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