Florida bans local governments from pursuing net-zero emissions goals
A new state law limits Florida communities' aims to offset greenhouse gas emissions that are warming the global climate and intensifying disasters such as hurricanes.
Specifically, HB 1217 prohibits local governments from pursuing net-zero emissions goals. At least 10 cities and counties have implemented such policies, including Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando, and Leon County, where Tallahassee, the state capital, is located. But the new law will not necessarily upend these policies, said Bradley Marshall, senior attorney at Earthjustice, an advocacy group.
"It's certainly meant to scare municipalities and local governments from trying to do things to further net-zero policies," he said. "Now, its exact impact and what it exactly prohibits is probably up for some debate. Things that are adjacent to it—emissions reductions and even climate change reduction policies—on their face will not run afoul at all of a ban on adopting a net zero policy."
The measure requires local governments to submit an affidavit annually to the state Department of Revenue verifying compliance. Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, signed the measure on April 22, Earth Day, and the law will take effect July 1. It states that "net zero policies, carbon taxes and assessments, and emission trading programs are detrimental to this state's energy security and economic interests and inconsistent with the energy policy and the environmental policy of this state."
(Score: 5, Informative) by epitaxial on Tuesday July 07, @06:36PM (1 child)
The pedo party of "small limited government" strikes again. At least they're finally admitting the reason.
Isn't this the same state where property is becoming uninsurable due to climate change?
(Score: 1) by khallow on Wednesday July 08, @06:20PM
The excuse is bizarre:
It's going to allegedly cause problems for a single county so we need to ban anything like it from happening statewide.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by Gaaark on Tuesday July 07, @08:10PM
Headline:
FLORIDA MAN DOES SOMETHING INCREDIBLY STUPID. AGAIN!
NO ONE IS SURPRISED.
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. I have always been here. ---Gaaark 2.0 --
(Score: 2, Interesting) by Billy the Mountain on Tuesday July 07, @08:13PM (1 child)
Do communities enjoy first amendment rights?
(Score: 3, Funny) by epitaxial on Tuesday July 07, @10:10PM
Only if they praise dear leader or Rhonda Santis.
(Score: 4, Informative) by Frosty Piss on Wednesday July 08, @03:23AM
Call this a "troll" if you want, I lived there for t years while in the Air Force. All the bullshit you hear about Florida is true. Especially the big bugs Spiders the size of the palm of your hand. 2 inch flying cockroaches. Mosquitos that draw blood like an experienced nurse. And obnoxious Cuban expats. SCIENTOLOGISTS. Granted most of these things applied to the entire Gulf Coast.
(Score: 3, Informative) by PiMuNu on Wednesday July 08, @12:52PM (1 child)
Trump's party is, quite literally, *refilling* the swamp.
(Score: 2) by turgid on Thursday July 09, @07:22PM
MAGA: Make America Go Aquatic.
I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent [wikipedia.org].