<\/p>\n
“Gyration,” a green energy art fixture just outside of Inter & Co Stadium, in downtown Orlando. The figure represents a collaboration between the Orlando Utilities Commission and UCF to pledge toward a more sustainable future.<\/p>\n
Joseph Wiedeman<\/p>\n
Local governments in Florida would be limited\u00a0from limiting the effects of climate change if two bills making their way through the state legislature are passed, one of which cleared another\u00a0committee in the Florida House of Representatives on Feb. 12.<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n Senate Bill 1628<\/a>\u00a0and House Bill 1217<\/a> both focus on eliminating the ability of local municipalities to implement \u201cNet-Zero\u201d emissions measures and, if passed, would go into effect on July 1 of this year.<\/p>\n \u201cNet-zero\u201d<\/a>\u00a0measures, which are founded on consuming only as much energy as is produced, allow local governments to limit\u00a0emissions that have historically been considered harmful to the environment and its inhabitants.<\/p>\n These bills would not only ban carbon emissions caps, but would also prevent municipalities from offering incentives to businesses for going green, stop any carbon credit or offset programs and prevent specialized taxation for eco-friendly industries, according to the Florida Senate<\/a>.<\/p>\n Maureen McCann, UCF alum and meteorologist with Spectrum News 13, said the effect of preventing net-zero emissions measures can vary greatly.<\/p>\n \u201cNet-zero emissions help by reducing the amount of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere,” McCann said. “Which would help slow the long-term warming of the planet. Over time, that reduction in warming can help limit the intensity of extreme weather.\u201d<\/p>\n The measure could prove complicated for UCF, which receives almost $200 million in grants, gifts and sponsored awards for sustainable energy research, according to its\u00a0Energy and Sustainability page.<\/a><\/p>\n The Charge\u00a0reached out to James Bacchus, UCF\u2019s Director for the Center of Global Economic and Environmental Opportunity, along with four environmental experts at UCF, all of whom declined to comment.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Currently, SB 1628 resides in the Finance and Tax Committee. HB 1217 passed through the Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee unchallenged last Thursday and now resides in the\u00a0Commerce Committee.<\/p>\n The Senate bill was introduced by state Sen. Bryan Avila (R-39), while HB 1217 was co-introduced by Rep. John Snyder (R-86) and Rep. Berny Jacques (R-59).<\/p>\n During the introduction of the SB 1628<\/a>,\u00a0Avila\u00a0said he believes this does not represent a step back for Florida’s environment, “but rather a layer of protection for our residents from potential additional, unnecessary taxation.”\u00a0<\/p>\n The two bills are paired with the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s recent rescission of the 2009 \u201cEndangerment Finding,<\/a>” the federal act that served as the basis for determining that six key greenhouse gases\u00a0are a direct threat to public health and safety.<\/p>\n This, paired with the Florida bills SB 1628 and HB 1217, could be consequential\u00a0to the long-term sustainability of the Florida environment, experts warn. As McCann pointed out, this is because they stop local municipalities’ ability to limit emissions or provide incentives for green alternatives.<\/p>\n Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith (D-17), UCF alumnus representing Orange County, raised concerns about the bill’s impact on local municipalities during a committee meeting.<\/p>\n \u201cThe bill bans local governments from adopting any net-zero emissions policies, including emissions reduction goals, clean purchasing standards, and forward-looking transportation planning,”\u00a0Smith said.\u00a0<\/p>\n “Solar Trees” built around the Orange County Convention Center\u00a0are an example of renewable energy structures that have saved the city thousands of dollars in\u00a0energy costs<\/a> and represent the city’s commitment to a green future.\u00a0<\/p>\n Joseph Wiedeman<\/p>\n<\/p>\n