This week, the Florida legislature voted to implement Amendment 4, the constitutional amendment over seventy percent of voters approved last fall. The bill, SB 90, extends the tax break on solar equipment to businesses. The bill now goes to Governor Rick Scott.
Jennifer Rubiello, state director with Environment Florida, issued the following statement:
“We applaud the state legislature for listening to the will of Florida voters when it comes to removing barriers to solar; a move that will advance renewable energy here in the Sunshine State.
“We all know that Florida has tremendous potential to tap into solar to provide pollution-free power for our homes, businesses and increasingly, modes of transportation.
“Today, Florida still ranks twelfth for solar power, behind states like New Jersey and Massachusetts. We hope this measure, and other efforts to encourage solar, will help our state climb in the solar rankings.
“We thank Senator Brandes for his support in moving this measure forward in a way that reflects the will of the citizens who voted for this pro-solar amendment.
“Ultimately, this is an important step in moving Florida away from dirty fuels and towards clean renewable sources.
“We urge the governor to support the will of Florida voters and encourage solar power by making this measure the law of the land.”
Environment Florida
Environment Florida statement on Trump's expected offshore drilling executive order
President Trump issued an order directing the Secretary of Interior to revisit the 5 year drilling plan of proposed oil and gas development the the Outer Continental Shelf including the Western and Central Gulf of Mexico.
To clarify, while the executive order DOES NOT require leasing in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico, opening the door to more drilling anywhere in the Gulf still threatens our coastal communities here in Florida. As we know from the Deepwater Horizon disaster, oil spills have no boundaries.
Jennifer Rubiello, state director of Environment Florida, issued the following updated statement:
“Florida’s coasts and oceans are home to stunning wildlife, beautiful beaches and support a robust tourism economy, all things that stand to lose from offshore drilling. The President’s action opens the door to expanded drilling into our public waters, including drilling that could threaten waters and coastal communities in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico – a move that goes against the values a majority of Floridians share: that our oceans and beaches should be preserved, not sold off to the highest bidder.
“Instead of risking our coasts, President Trump should pay attention to the thousands of citizens, fishermen, and business owners along Florida’s coasts and the millions of Americans from Alaska to Maine who have already said no to offshore drilling. Today’s action is the wrong decision and we will continue fighting in whatever venue it takes to block proposals to drill off our coasts.”
“Seven years after BP’s Deepwater Horizon rig exploded causing the most massive oil spill in history, businesses, communities, and wildlife here in our Gulf region have yet to fully recover. This order exposes all of our oceans to similar risk of disaster.”
“To make matters worse, we are already experiencing record sea-level rise and extreme weather events fueled by climate change. We must not dig that hole any deeper by opening new areas to more drilling.”
The expected executive order comes just weeks before hundreds will gather on May 20th on Treasure Island and throughout Florida for Hands Across the Sand to oppose drilling off our shores and support clean, renewable energy.
First 100 days of Trump administration is disaster for Florida’s environment
First 100 days of Trump administration is disaster
for Florida’s environment and our families’ health
In his first 100 days, President Trump has taken dozens of actions that threaten clean air, clean water, and treasured places from the Suwannee River to Tampa Bay to the Everglades.
“There is no question, President Trump is a disaster for our environment and public health. His actions will make our air and water dirtier; ensure we experience the worst effects of climate change even more swiftly; and will put Florida’s coastal communities at risk. Bottomline these rollbacks put the health of Florida families at risk,” said Jennifer Rubiello, state director at Environment Florida.
We are quickly approaching the point where scientists say we won’t be able to stave off the most disastrous impacts of global warming. President Trump’s plans and policies move us in the wrong direction. He stacked his cabinet with big oil allies and climate deniers, plans to dismantle the Clean Power Plan which put the first ever federal limits on global warming pollution from power plants, and ordered the EPA to reconsider clean car standards.
All of this is happening as global warming pollution and other pollution resulting from burning fossil fuels is extending the smog season and harming our families’ health. Across Florida, 21 cities and metro areas had unhealthy levels of air pollution with an average of 17 dirty air days during 2015. Increases in particulate matter can cause coughing and throat irritation, asthma and permanent damage to lung tissue, as well as heart attacks and heart failure.
“We used to say climate change was a problem happening somewhere else in the world to somebody else. Unfortunately that’s no longer true. It is here and now and only going to get worse for us here in Florida, around the country and the world if President Trump has his way,” said David Hastings, Professor of Marine Science and Chemistry at Eckerd College.
Clean water is vital to our ecology, our health, and our quality of life. Many Americans depend on rivers and streams for safe drinking water. But the Trump administration is working to rewrite the Clean Water Rule, putting drinking water for 1 in 3 Americans, including nearly 2 million Floridians, at risk. President Trump’s proposed budget also severely cuts funding for restoring the Everglades and protecting the health of waters like Tampa Bay.
Likewise, our parks, forest, oceans and special places are part of what makes America great. Offshore drilling and fracking risks Florida’ public lands including places like Big Cypress National Preserve. Plans to expand drilling both offshore and on land threaten the water we drink, and risks Florida’s outdoor recreation industry, which generates over $2.5 billion in state and local revenue and 329,000 jobs.
“Some of the biggest benefits of living here in Florida for many of my family and friends include getting out to the beach or paddling down Florida’s many rivers, like the Hillsborough and the Suwannee,” said Tim Martin, conservation chair with the Suncoast Sierra Club. “Trump’s policies put these treasured places and many others across the state and the nation at risk.”
A swift transition to renewable energy is important for reducing global warming pollution, and will make our air cleaner while keeping many of the nation’s landscapes more pristine. We have the technology and sources of energy needed to make a rapid transition away from dirty energy to renewable power. Unfortunately, President Trump is doubling down on the dirty energy of the past by approving projects like the Dakota Access and Keystone East pipelines, and dramatically reducing funding for needed research. Without a commitment to transitioning to clean and renewable energy, facilities like our national laboratories that focus on research in solar, wind and renewable sources of power are at risk. President Trump’s policies move us in the wrong direction at a time when we need to be setting ambitious clean energy goals, bolstering learning and research, and driving innovation.
“Cities in Florida like St. Petersburg have been a leader in making a commitment to moving towards clean energy,” said Susan Glickman, Florida Director for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. “It would be a travesty if President Trump’s policies put all of that progress in jeopardy.”
President Trump is also taking action that will expose our children and families to even more toxic chemicals. His budget proposal eliminates two different programs within the EPA that protect kids from lead paint, as well as eliminating $330 million in Superfund money to cleanup the worst toxic waste sites, including 92 here in Florida. His EPA has also approved use of a pesticide, chlorpyrifos, that their own scientific research has shown is unsafe for public health, water quality, and wildlife.
“No matter who we voted for last November, none of us wants to expose our kids to more toxic chemicals, make our air and water dirtier. The vast majority of Americans oppose moving backwards on climate, or selling off our public lands to the highest bidder. Anyway you look at it, these last 100 days have been a disaster for our environment and our families’ health,” said Rubiello.
National monuments at risk
President Trump signed an executive order today directing the Department of Interior to review more than 20 national monuments that have been created under the Antiquities Act since 1996. A list of the monuments that may be reviewed is below.
In response, Environment Florida’s state director, Jennifer Rubiello, issued the following statement:
“One of the things that makes our state and this nation so great is that we have gorgeous landscapes and we have had the foresight and political will to protect them for future generations. Unfortunately, today’s executive order heads in the exact wrong direction.
If President Trump succeeds in rolling back any of our national monuments, he will in essence be attacking all our public landscapes. This effort is unprecedented and likely unconstitutional. Despite presidents from both parties establishing more than 150 national monuments over that last 111 years under the authority of the Antiquities Act, never has a president revoked the status of a monument.
Protecting our public landscapes is good for our ecosystem; it creates unprecedented opportunity for recreation and tourism; and land conservation makes political sense. Citizens across the country support presidential action to protect our lands, waters and wilderness.
I’m confident that Floridians will rally to keep all of our public lands in public hands. As we know from the Lorax: Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
National Monument designations that may be up for Review
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah, W. Clinton, 1996 (BLM)
Agua Fria National Monument, Arizona, W. Clinton, 2000 (BLM)
California Coastal National Monument, California, W. Clinton, 2000 (BLM)
Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, Arizona, W. Clinton, 2000 (BLM)
Portion of Sequoia National Forest (originally Giant Sequoia), California, W. Clinton, 2000 (USFS)
Canyon of the Ancients National Monument, Colorado, W. Clinton, 2000 (BLM)
Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, Oregon, W. Clinton, 2000 (BLM)
Hanford Reach National Monument, Washington, W. Clinton, 2000 (FWS)
Ironwood Forest National Monument, Arizona, W. Clinton, 2000 (BLM)
President Lincoln and Soldier’s Home National Monument, Washington, DC, W. Clinton, 2000 (NPS)
Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona, W. Clinton, 2000 (BLM)
Carrizo Plain National Monument, California, W. Clinton, 2001 (BLM)
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, New Mexico, W. Clinton, 2001 (BLM)
Minidoka National Historic Site, Idaho, W. Clinton, 2001 (NPS)
Pompeys Pillar National Monument, Montana, W. Clinton, 2001 (BLM)
Sonoran Desert National Monument, Arizona, W. Clinton, 2001 (BLM)
Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument, Montana, W. Clinton, 2001 (BLM)
Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument, Virgin Islands, W. Clinton, 2001 (NPS)
Governors Island National Monument, New York, W. Clinton, 2001 (NPS)
African Burial Ground National Monument, New York, G. W. Bush, 2006 (NPS)
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (originally Northwestern Hawaiian Islands), Hawaii, G. W. Bush, 2006 (FWS, NOAA)
World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, Hawaii, G. W. Bush, 2008 (NPS, FWS)
Rose Atoll National Monument, American Samoa, G. W. Bush, 2009 (NOAA)
Pacific Remote Islands National Monument, Hawaii, G. W. Bush, 2009 (FWS, NOAA)
Mariana’s Trench National Monument, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, G. W. Bush, 2009 (NOAA)
Fort Monroe National Monument, Virginia, B. H. Obama, 2011 (NPS)
Fort Ord National Monument, California, B. H. Obama, 2012 (BLM)
Chimney Rock National Monument, Colorado, B. H. Obama, 2012 (USFS)
Cesar E. Chavez National Monument, California, B. H. Obama, 2012 (NPS)
San Juan Islands National Monument, Washington, B. H. Obama, 2013 (BLM)
Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, New Mexico, B. H. Obama, 2013 (BLM)
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park, Maryland, B. H. Obama, 2013 (NPS, FWS)
First State National Historical Park, Delaware, B. H. Obama, 2013 (NPS)
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers Monument, Ohio, B. H. Obama, 2013 (NPS)
Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, New Mexico, B. H. Obama, 2014 (BLM)
San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, California, B. H. Obama, 2014 (USFS)
Honouliuli National Monument, Hawaii, B. H. Obama, 2015 (NPS)
Pullman National Monument, Illinois, B. H. Obama, 2015 (NPS)
Browns Canyon National Monument, Colorado, B. H. Obama, 2015 (BLM, USFS)
Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, California, B. H. Obama, 2015 (USFS)
Waco Mammoth National Monument, Texas, B. H. Obama, 2015 (NPS)
Basin and Range National Monument, Nevada, B. H. Obama, 2015 (BLM)
Mojave Trails National Monument, California, B. H. Obama, 2016 (BLM)
Sand to Snow National Monument, California, B. H. Obama, 2016 (USFS)
Castle Mountains National Monument, California, B. H. Obama, 2016 (NPS)
Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument, Washington, DC, B. H. Obama, 2016 (NPS)
Stonewall National Monument, New York, B. H. Obama, 2016 (NPS)
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, Maine, B. H. Obama, 2016 (NPS)
Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, Massachusetts, B. H. Obama, 2016 (NOAA, FWS)
Bears Ears National Monument, Utah, B. H. Obama, 2016 (USFS, BLM)
Gold Butte National Monument, Nevada, B. H. Obama, 2016 (BLM)
Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument, Alabama, B. H. Obama, 2017 (NPS)
Freedom Riders National Monument, Alabama, B. H. Obama, 2017 (NPS)
Reconstruction Era National Monument, South Carolina, B. H. Obama, 2017 (NPS)
New report: Floridians often breathe unhealthy air
MEDIA ADVISORY
WHAT: Environment Florida Research & Policy Center will release a new report that presents city-by-city data on the persistent problem of air pollution. The report comes as the Trump administration attempts to roll back the Clean Power Plan and other important clean air programs, threatening the health of Floridians.
The report contains new information, broken down by state and metropolitan area, about the levels of ozone smog and particulate soot pollution in 2015. It also contains preliminary data for part of the country for 2016. It also highlights how global warming increases the risk of air pollution problems by extending the smog season and increasing the frequency and severity of wildfires.
WHEN & WHERE: The report will be live at 8:00AM on Thursday, April 6th at www.EnvironmentFloridaCenter.org.
Florida cities ranked for solar power in new report
Even as President Trump signs executive orders rolling back climate progress and the Florida Legislature considers bills that would further wed Floridians to dirty energy sources, states and cities continue to advance renewable energy. On Tuesday, April 4, Environment Florida Research & Policy Center will release new data ranking Florida and other American cities for installed solar power.
WHAT: Release of “Shining Cities” report ranking cities for solar power.
WHEN: Tuesday, April 4, 2017, 8:00 AM. Report will be online at EnvironmentFloridaCenter.org
Environment Florida's Response to Climate Rollbacks
“Calling climate change a ‘hoax’ won’t stop temperatures or sea level from rising. We can tackle the climate crisis by investing in science and clean, renewable energy, but only if we move boldly and quickly. Defunding science, undercutting clean energy, and doubling down on fossil fuels is sheer reckless folly.” -Turner Lott, Campaign Organizer, Environment Florida
President Trump signed an executive order today rolling back climate progress. The executive order instructs the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to rewrite the Clean Power Plan, the single largest step the U.S. has taken to limit climate change. The order also lifts the moratorium on federal coal leasing and limits on methane from fracking operations. The administration also initiated a process to reconsider the Social Cost of Carbon and the National Environmental Policy Act guidance on climate pollution. Turner Lott, Campaign Organizer, Environment Florida issued the following statement:
“Calling climate change a ‘hoax’ won’t stop temperatures or sea level from rising. We can tackle the climate crisis by investing in science and clean, renewable energy, but only if we move boldly and quickly. Defunding science, undercutting clean energy, and doubling down on fossil fuels is sheer reckless folly.
2016 was the hottest year on record, beating 2015 which was the hottest year before that. The climate and clean air safeguards that President Trump is proposing to block would increase pollution and threaten our health and the planet. If fully implemented, the Clean Power Plan alone would have reduced our power plant emissions 32% by 2030 with huge health and environmental benefits for Floridians.
Instead of accelerating this progress, the administration is proposing to endanger our health and threaten our children’s future. Blocking the Clean Power plan will lead to 3,600 additional premature deaths, 90,000 more asthma attacks in children, and 300,000 more missed work and school days by 2030. Power plants make up 49 percent of carbon emissions in Florida, producing as much carbon dioxide yearly as almost 25 million cars. The Clean Power plan helps Florida reduce its emissions by providing incentives to shift from pollution-causing fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy. However, The Trump Administration’s proposed rollback doubles down on fossil fuels that damage our health and the environment.
Millions of Americans have called for strong climate action, submitting more than 8 million comments asking the EPA to take action to cut carbon pollution from power plants. More than 600,000 of these comments came from Environment America’s members and supporters.
More than 1100 health professionals sent a letter urging the President to support the Clean Power Plan, to limit carbon pollution, phase out drilling and mining on public lands, increase electric vehicles and set higher fuel economy standards for cars.
We need to stop President Trump’s rollbacks of our environmental protections that will make us more dependent on dirty fossil fuels. Today’s actions by the administration threaten our health, our environment, and our treasured places.
Despite the President’s dangerous and backwards energy agenda, the fact is the clean energy revolution can’t be stopped. Clean energy solutions like solar, wind and efficiency will reduce carbon pollution and clean up our air, protect our health including reducing asthma attacks, and promote energy independence.
And, as our most successful climate programs face attack on the federal level, it is incumbent on states to double down on their climate commitments. We are calling on Governor Scott to keep leading the charge and push the progress we need to tackle the climate crisis and get 100% renewable energy.”
Hundreds Gather in Tallahassee to Urge Ban on Fracking, Support Solar Energy, and Protect Clean Water
Environmental, social justice, labor, business groups, and legislators show wide support
for permanent fracking ban, renewable energy production, and water protection
Hundreds of Floridians gathered together in the state capitol today to urge elected officials to pass a fracking ban, commit to increasing renewable energy sources, and protect our waterways.
The diverse group, including elected officials, members of ReThink Energy Florida, Food & Water Watch, Sierra Club, Environment Florida, Floridians Against Fracking, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Organize Florida, Florida Conservation Voters, and others cited over 900 health studies for why fracking has no place in the Sunshine State.
“Banning fracking in Florida is one of the best things we can do to protect our treasured waterways, public health, and economy,” said State Senator Jack Latvala (R-Clearwater). “I stand with the 90 cities and counties in Florida that have passed ordinances or resolutions calling on us, the State Legislature, to pass this important legislation.”
Nationwide opposition to hydraulic fracturing has escalated dramatically over the past year as public awareness of its impacts grows.
“The time has finally come to end this dangerous practice,” said State Senator Gary Farmer (D-Ft. Lauderdale). “This bill represents the now bipartisan recognition that Florida’s unique geological makeup leaves our water supply particularly vulnerable and must be protected.”
The gathering follows introduction of a bicameral, bipartisan fracking ban bill in the Florida Legislature with widespread support. Senator Dana Young (R-Tampa), present at the event, introduced the bill into the Senate. Representative Mike Miller (R-Orlando) introduced the House ban bill on the same day. Both ban bills have received overwhelming bipartisan support, garnering dozens of cosponsors from around the state.
Students from Cornerstone Learning Community in Tallahassee attended in support of the legislation as well.
“We, as the future generation, understand how important it is to protect our water, animals, and environment from the dangers of fracking,” said Claire Encinosa, a 5th grader speaking on behalf of her class at the Cornerstone Learning Community.“Fracking will not just pollute our world but also make us sick, cause birth defects, and even cancer. We want the Florida Legislature to ban fracking for the future.”
Advocates also called for strong, common-sense implementation of Amendment 4, the pro-solar initiative 73% of voters passed last August, which makes it easier for businesses to implement solar energy.
“With the overwhelming support of Amendment 4, the doors are wide open for solar power in the Sunshine State,” said Clifford Mitchem, Independent Energy Adviser for CREW, a member-owned solar cooperative. “It’s now up to our legislators to help us walk through the door.”
After this year’s toxic algae outbreaks, just as many are calling for the preservation and protection of our precious water resources.
“Business as usual will drain our aquifers and poison what’s left,” said Burt Eno, president of Rainbow River Conservation. “We must balance our water permits with monitoring to ensure users don’t take too much water, and we need to better manage fertilizer, industrial, and stormwater runoff to avoid polluting our waters.”
Following the rally, constituents will meet with their elected officials in support of SB 442/HB 451 “Advanced Well Stimulation Treatment,” SB 90/HB 1411 “Renewable Energy Source Devices,” and SB 1700 “Water Management;” and in opposition to HB 17/1158/751/1378 “Home Rule Preemption,” and SB 1238/HB 1043 “Utility Investments in Gas Reserves.” One additional bill, HB 1351 “Renewable Energy Source Devices,” requires amending because it contains language outside of what Floridians voted on in 2016.
“Floridians continue to call on their elected officials to pass legislation banning fracking, promoting renewable energy, and protecting our vital clean water supplies,” said Kim Ross, president of ReThink Energy Florida. “From the Keys, to Tampa, Jacksonville, and Gainesville — hundreds of Floridians are here to inspire our leaders to reclaim Florida’s future, environment, and health.”
Environment Florida is a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization working for a cleaner, greener, healthier future.
Floridians Against Fracking is a coalition of over 55 environmental, health and social justice groups supporting a ban on fracking in Florida.
Fracking Opponents to Gather in State Capitol
On Wednesday at 10:30am, hundreds of anti-fracking advocates from the Panhandle to the Keys will rally ahead of a lobby day urging legislators to pass a statewide fracking ban, increase support for renewable energy and ensure Florida’s waters are protected. The rally is being organized by ReThink Energy Florida, Environment Florida, Sierra Club – Florida, Food & Water Watch, Floridians Against Fracking, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Florida Conservation Voters, and others.
Legislation to ban fracking in Florida has been introduced in both the state Senate and House with bipartisan support and backing from Senate leadership. Over 900 peer-reviewed scientific studies have been published highlighting fracking’s threat to our air, water, and public health. Banning fracking in the state would both encourage investment in renewable energy and protect drinking water in Florida from the dangerous chemicals used in fracking practices.
WHEN: Wednesday, March 22nd at 10:30 am
WHERE: Waller Park (in front of the dolphins), Florida State Capitol, 400 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, 32301
SPEAKERS:
State Senator Jack Latvala
State Senator Gary Farmer
State Representative Heather Fitzenhagen
Dr. Burt Eno, President, Rainbow River Conservation, Inc.
Clifford Mitchem, Independent Energy Advisor, CREW-Clean Renewable Energy Worldwide
VISUALS: Over 100 anti-fracking advocates, anti-fracking signs and banners
Environment Florida is a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization working for a cleaner, greener, healthier future.
Floridians Against Fracking is a coalition of over 55 environmental, health and social justice groups supporting a ban on fracking in Florida.
America’s clean air, water, health come in dead last in “America First” Budget
President Trump today released his first proposed budget to Congress. Below is a statement from Turner Lott, campaign organizer for Environment Florida, on the president’s budget proposal.
“President Trump’s budget is dirty and dangerous and fails to protect our health or our planet. This budget virtually eliminates funding for proven programs needed to clean up the nation’s great waterways from the San Francisco Bay to the Puget Sound, and from the Suwannee River to the Hillsborough River here in Florida. This budget also fails to address the Flint water crisis or dozens of other lead in drinking water disasters. Slashing EPA’s overall budget by more than a third means the agency cannot adequately enforce our clean air and clean water safeguards. It is basically a “get out of jail free card” for polluters. In addition, Trump’s proposed budget underfunds environmental issues that matter to millions of Americans, like climate action, clean energy, and our national parks.”
“Congress should reject this budget. America’s clean air, water and our health come in dead last in this so-called “America First” budget. This is not the future our families or the planet deserve.”
