House passes bill to cut climate change provisions from energy policy, look into nuclear
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida House of Representatives passed legislation Friday that slashes “climate change” references from the state’s energy priorities and that directs more focus on nuclear and hydrogen power solutions.
It aims to “streamline” Florida’s energy directives and revise its intent toward “adequate, reliable, and cost-effective supply of energy” while keeping in mind Floridian “health and welfare.”
Rep. Bobby Payne, R-Palatka, is the sponsor of HB 1645, which passed 88-19.
The proposal rescinds a phrase directing the state to address “the potential of global climate change.”
On top of switching out “climate” references, the legislation implements regulations on local utilities requiring at least one mutual aid agreement to ensure power can be quickly restored following a natural disaster.
The bill includes an initiative toward nuclear power, mandating the Florida Public Service Commission to look into using “advanced nuclear power technologies.”
It strikes out several other references to the phrase “climate change” in current state law, a topic last addressed in the state’s energy policy by the legislature in 2008.
Sen. Jay Collins, R-Tampa, is the sponsor of the Senate’s version, SB 1624. The Senate bill is still poised for a final vote.
The proposal additionally revises Florida’s energy goals towards primarily security, reliability, cost efficiency and availability, while being cognizant of conserving natural resources and waterways.
If fully approved and signed by the governor, it would take effect July 1.
On top of looking into nuclear power, the bill requires the Florida Department of Transportation to look into hydrogen fueling infrastructure, such as fueling stations, for vehicles that run off hydrogen.
As of 2023, there were only a couple tens of thousands of hydrogen-powered cars on U.S. roads, a newer technology in the race for more fuel-efficient cars.
The proposal also cracks down on any offshore wind facility in Florida, preventing them from being constructed, operated or expanded as of the bill’s effective date. It enacts other wind turbine regulations and provides that applications for federal wind energy leases must go through the state, and those turbines would go in the territorial U.S. waters adjacent to Florida’s waters.
It additionally requires the state to create a preferred products list to identify products made with “forced labor.”
One aim of the proposal is to help make it more affordable for utilities that use natural gas to relocate their facilities through a petition to the Florida Public Service Commission, if those relocations are required under either the state or local government.
In terms of striking commitments to the “green” agenda commonly criticized by Republicans, the bill would nix a current state requirement for agencies to contract only with “Green Lodging”-designated hotels and conference locations.
Agencies would additionally no longer have to utilize vehicles for official state business based on the greatest fuel efficiency.
It repeals various other environmental programs, such as the Renewable Energy and Energy-Efficient Technologies Grant Program, the Florida Green Government Grants Act, Energy Economic Zone Pilot Program, and the Qualified Energy Conservation Bond Allocation.
Those programs, in their own respective functions, focused on “green” energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, among other provisions.
One other proposed change eliminates the ability for homeowners’ associations and community development districts to crack down on certain kinds of fuel used to deliver power by entities such as electric utilities, rural electric cooperatives or natural gas transmission companies.
