Florida prohibits local governments from pursuing net-zero emissions goals

A new federal law blocks Florida’s plans to curb greenhouse gas emissions that are warming the world’s climate and increasing natural disasters like hurricanes.

In particular, The cost of HB1217 prohibits local governments from pursuing emission targets. At least 10 cities and counties have enacted such policies, including Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando, and Leon County, home to Tallahassee, the state capital. But the new law won’t change those values, said Bradley Marshall, senior attorney at Earthjustice, an advocacy group.

“It is necessary to scare the municipalities and the governments from trying to do things to advance the unlimited policies,” he said. “Now, the actual effects and what they prevent will probably cause some controversy.” The things around them – emissions reductions and climate change mitigation policies – on their face will not undermine the ban on net zero.”

The measure requires local governments to submit an annual certified statement to the Department of Revenue verifying compliance. Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, signed the measure on April 22, Earth Day, and the law will take effect on July 1. It states that “zero-carbon policies, carbon taxes and testing, and emissions trading programs are harmful to the energy security and economy of this country and inconsistent with the energy policy and environment of this country.”

“I proudly signed HB 1217 to fight for jobs and affordability in Florida,” according to a statement from Rep. Berny Jacques (R-Clearwater) offered. “This bill protects our citizens and businesses from additional costs by repealing Green New Deal policies. Carbon taxes and fees are not welcome in the Free State of Florida.”

DeSantis introduced the law in 2024 removing several words for “climate change” from federal law and reforming the government’s energy policy for fossil fuels related to reducing dependence on foreign sources and strengthening energy resources against “natural and man-made threats.” The measure also eliminated the goals that were intended to promote the use of renewable energy. The goals were set in 2022 after 200 Floridians, all under 25 years of ageissued a petition calling on the government to start aiming for 100 percent clean energy by 2050, leading scientists say it is essential to avoid the worst effects of climate change.

“This bill is part of a larger push by political activists to block any tools — legislative or regulatory — to hold business accountable for contributing to climate change,” said Laura Peterson, chief strategist for the Union for Concerned Scientists, an advocacy group. “Florida is really ahead. So I think the governor is taking this because he sees what is going well. This is not going well. So I can only imagine that this is a challenge to meet some of the challenges that he is getting from donors and from his party to protect the industry.

There is the great connection of science that fossil fuel emissions have increased global warming since the industrial age, leading to catastrophic disasters such as hurricanes. One learning he concluded that it is now scientifically possible to link individual producers to specific problems, due to criminal charges.

HB 1217 also prevents local governments from purchasing products such as vehicles or electrical equipment based on the fuel they use or produce. Local governments cannot participate in carbon trading or use public funds to support other organizations with unlimited policies. Cities and counties also may not pay taxes or fees related to emissions.

When the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) announced in 2020 its commitment to be carbon neutral by 2050, the city and townships were recognized as leaders in a state where many governments at the time were focusing on climate issues such as sea level rise and flooding. The dedication led to one of the largest developments in the service in its century-long history, Support 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 net zero emissions regulations,” an OUC statement provided to Inside Climate News. “We remain focused on providing reliable and affordable energy while continuing to reduce our carbon dioxide (CO) emissions₂) output in a reliable and consistent manner. Since 2020, we have made significant progress in reducing CO₂ “

The counties of Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale, and Broward and Miami-Dade are also pursuing net-zero emissions goals by 2050. Miami, Miramar, Pinellas County, and Sarasota have similar goals.

But in Leon County, leaders have taken several steps in response to HB 1217. They repealed the 2023 climate emergency declaration. They also withdrew plans to phase out gasoline-powered vehicles and revised the policy to phase out recycled paper. The Paul Russell Road site, billed by the government as the first government-backed building to achieve zero-emissions, will lose its licence, although the building’s solar and energy systems will continue to operate unchanged.

Susan Glickman, vice president of policy and partnerships at The CLEO Institute, an advocacy group, worries that the law could have a negative impact on other local policies aimed at moving Florida toward clean energy.

“It means everyone is going to pay more on their electricity bills, and there are a lot of people who could end up paying more for electricity,” he said. But there are many people who can’t afford it, and this is coming at a time when housing prices have gone up, shopping costs have gone up, and insurance rates have skyrocketed. So there are people out there who are suffering.”

This article appeared first Inside Weather News.

Amy Green reports on the environment and climate change from Orlando, Florida. He is a middle-aged journalist and author whose extensive reporting on the Everglades appears in the book MOVING WATER, published by Johns Hopkins University Press, and the podcast DRAINED, available wherever you find your podcasts. Amy’s work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Edward R. Murrow Award from the Public Media Journalists Association.