{"id":180771,"date":"2026-03-06T13:55:17","date_gmt":"2026-03-06T13:55:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/180771\/"},"modified":"2026-03-06T13:55:17","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T13:55:17","slug":"house-votes-to-spike-local-government-net-zero-policies-to-reduce-climate-change-tallahassee-reports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/180771\/","title":{"rendered":"House votes to spike local government \u2018net zero policies\u2019 to reduce climate change \u2013 Tallahassee Reports"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Mitch Perry, The Florida Phoenix<\/p>\n

A bill that would prevent local governments in Florida from using net-zero policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions \u2014 the primary driver of climate change \u2014 passed Thursday in the Florida House.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the latest move by Florida Republicans to discourage polices that aim to combat climate change. However, its chances of becoming law appear remote, as its Senate companion has advanced through just one of its three assigned committees with the session due to end a week from Friday.<\/p>\n

The bill (HB 1217) says government entities may not enact, enforce, or require any person or legal entity to enact or enforce any net zero policy by resolution, ordinance, rule, code, or policy. It would also ban local governments from expending any funds (including taxes, fees, or assessments) that support, implement, or advance net zero policies.<\/p>\n

The measure comes nearly two years after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation declaring the state would\u00a0no longer be required to consider climate change when crafting energy policy. Climate change policies were also relatively absent at the state level during Gov. Rick Scott\u2019s time in office (2011-2019), prompting\u00a0at least 14 local governments\u00a0in Florida to act on their own and pass resolutions committing to a 100% clean, renewable energy portfolio in the future.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s often said that you can lead, you can follow, or you can get out of the way,\u201d said Rep. Lindsay Cross, D-St. Petersburg, who opposed the bill. \u201cOur country is not leading and our state is not leading. The least we can do is get out of the way and let our locals lead. We can do better.\u201d<\/p>\n

In St. Petersburg, the city has incorporated net zero policies such as an Integrated Sustainability Action Plan which\u00a0local officials say\u00a0saves on fuel costs and electric use.<\/p>\n

\u201cLocal governments are on the front lines of our climate crisis,\u201d Cross added. \u201cWe\u2019ve seen the damaging impacts of hurricanes. Those who are struggling to provide adequate fresh water for residents and businesses are investing tens of millions of dollars to protect neighborhoods and commercial districts that repeatedly flood, and waterfront owners who live with encroaching sea levels. These communities should not face repercussions from heavy handed policies. Instead they should be empowered.\u201d<\/p>\n

The bill was co-sponsored by Republican Rep. Berny Jacques of Pinellas County and Rep. John Snyder of Stuart. Snyder disputed the notion that Republicans don\u2019t support alternative energy sources like solar power, insisting the state requires \u201cdiversified sources\u201d to provide energy for the state\u2019s 23 million residents.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not going to walk into this false trap of over-reliance on technology that is not more reliable when Floridians need it most,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Approximately 73% of Florida\u2019s electricity generation comes from natural gas power plants, 11% comes from nuclear power plants, 7% from renewable sources, and 5% from coal, according to the\u00a0Public Service Commission.<\/p>\n

The measure\u2019s companion in the Senate (SB 1628) is sponsored by Bryan Avila, R- Hialeah. It passed only one of its three assigned committees in that chamber.<\/p>\n

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