Sen. Brodeur: Republicans Recognize the Importance of Climate Issues in Florida

State Senator Jason Brodeur, President and CEO of the Seminole County Chamber, composed an Op-Ed to illustrate Republican involvement in climate action and resiliency efforts in Florida; a state with a unique vulnerability to the climate crisis. This editorial was published by the Orlando Sentinel on September 19, 2021. 

Sen. Brodeur: Republicans lead on climate, resiliency efforts | Commentary More so than perhaps any other state, Florida is vulnerable to the impacts of our changing climate and increasingly severe weather events. That’s why Republicans in Florida are leading on climate and resiliency issues. With the right policies in place, we can preserve our state’s beautiful natural areas, protect the private property of individuals and businesses, and strengthen economic opportunities across the Sunshine State. Legislators in Washington, D.C., should take note. Under the leadership of Gov. Ron DeSantis, Senate President Wilton Simpson, and House Speaker Chris Sprowls, Florida passed the largest climate resiliency package in our state’s history — and one of the most far-reaching, ambitious packages in the country this year. Congress should take note as they debate resiliency funding in the infrastructure package: In the Florida Legislature, we worked across the aisle to get that job done. The governor’s $500 million resilient Florida plan — the heart of this initiative — earned broad bipartisan support in both chambers of the state Legislature on its way to his desk for signature into law. The Florida Legislature also approved a number of other climate-friendly conservation measures, two of which I was proud to sponsor. The first will protect critical wildlife corridors and natural areas across the state. The second dedicates funding to capturing and cleaning nutrient-heavy water before it flows into Lake Okeechobee, reducing the nutrients that feed algae blooms in the lake and on either coast while also recharging the Florida aquifer. It just makes economic sense to protect our natural resources and abundant recreational opportunities. That is, after all, our chief asset and one of the biggest draws of tourism to the state. However, resiliency efforts go much further than that. They help protect the private property of Florida homeowners and businesses from the increased severity of storms, hurricanes, flooding, and other extreme weather emergencies. Ultimately, increasing Florida’s climate resiliency also helps lower the cost of doing business in the state by lessening the impact of these events and reducing their associated insurance costs. Complementing these resiliency efforts, Florida Republicans are also offering bold, market-driven, and conservative solutions to accelerate the adoption and deployment of clean energy across the state. If we are going to lead on the issues of climate and resiliency, then that will require increased investments in expanding clean energy and making it more accessible for more Florida homes and businesses. In particular, I was proud to sponsor legislation recently signed into law that reduces red tape for solar permitting throughout the state. That legislation, SB 896, will facilitate the adoption of solar power in Florida’s agricultural community. Prior to its passage, many Florida farmers who were interested in using parts of their land to generate solar energy found the permitting process to be too cumbersome to navigate. Through SB 896, we streamlined the process to allow properties that are zoned for agriculture to be automatically permitted for solar generation. Much like recent efforts by Sen. Marco Rubio — who co-sponsored the Growing Climate Solutions Act in the Senate — passage of this renewable energy expansion legislation will allow farmers to be part of the climate solution in a pro-growth, economically advantageous way. In the state Senate, we also passed legislation that would open up markets for biogas. Florida is already a leader in production of this emerging, innovative energy resource. Now, passage of this legislation into law will help make biogas much more competitive with other energy sources, giving Florida another natural, clean energy tool for our toolbox.  As we have been doing for years, Florida Republicans will continue to lead the way on climate resiliency and smart clean energy production in the 2022 legislative session and beyond. Washington should follow the example state lawmakers are setting and work with their colleagues on both sides to advance common sense clean energy and climate solutions that will help make our state more resilient and prepare us for the future, whatever it may hold. State Sen. Jason Brodeur, a Republican, represents District 9 in the Florida Senate, where he chairs the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. He is also the President and CEO of the Seminole County Chamber. Check out our previous webinar: Legislative Session Briefing, Focus Clean Energy and Resilience with Senator Jeff Brandes, Senator Jason Brodeur, and Nicholas Glover VP of Advocacy for the Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce here.

If you would like to learn more about clean energy opportunities in your community, please contact Daren Cheatham.

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Tampa Bay Chamber VP of Advocacy Writes Op-Ed on Importance of Clean Energy in the Business Community

Nic Glover, vice president of advocacy for the Tampa Bay Chamber composed this Op-Ed to illustrate the importance of clean energy and resiliency, and the role it plays in a vibrant business community. This editorial was published by the Tampa Bay Times on July 19, 2021.

Increasing clean energy and resilience for all Tampanians benefits our business ecosystem Tampa is among the fastest growing cities with community leaders and public officials who have a compelling and inclusive vision for the future, and even a Super Bowl title, back-to-back Stanley Cup championships, and an American League pennant.   Our community is looking ahead by prioritizing investments presented by the clean energy economy. By making resiliency a top priority, Florida’s business networks can ensure that the state’s business environment remains strong well into the future. As we make these investments, we must also uphold the highest standards of diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that improvements, from weatherization and improving home insulation to EV charging stations and the redevelopment of brownfields, benefit everyone in our local communities, especially the historically underserved.   Clean energy and resilience have become integral measures of a region’s overall competitiveness. That’s a key reason for The Tampa Bay Chamber’s decision to include goals in its policy platform to advance them both and to engage the business community in supporting local action surrounding these priorities that are flexible, predictable, and durable.   The cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Orlando recently joined the Florida Race to Zero, a competition among Florida cities to reach carbon neutrality. The competition is helping to stimulate clean energy action while benefiting economies by creating more clean energy jobs and promoting economic competitiveness. Needless to say, the Chamber supports this initiative and the work of these cities’ governments.   We also recognize the important contribution of Water Street Tampa, a new urban community that promotes wellness and sustainability. The project serves as a living example of how clean energy efforts bring innovative solutions to the table – such as the community’s district cooling plant that significantly increases energy efficiency.   Clean energy and sustainable development attract major companies, which are more focused now than ever on meeting their emissions goals. When considering relocating to a new city – and bringing massive potential for local economic benefit – businesses consider whether they’ll have access to the renewable energy they seek.   For Florida cities to remain economic leaders, it’s necessary that they work together with their local communities and businesses to prioritize clean energy. It’s also necessary that we equitably include all communities in resilience initiatives, moving beyond historical practices that often fell short on environmental justice. The Tampa Bay Chamber is committed to keeping frontline communities top of mind and ensuring that no neighborhood is left behind.   Overall, Florida is doing well promoting legislation surrounding resiliency, but it is time for us all to be proactive instead of reactive. The business case supports a move towards clean energy, and I encourage other Florida chambers and businesses to implement programs that expand clean energy in their areas. Together, we can create a stronger, equitable, more innovative business environment that brings lasting benefits to cities across the state of Florida.   Nicholas Glover is the vice president of advocacy for the Tampa Bay Chamber.

If you would like to learn more about clean energy opportunities in your community, please contact Daren Cheatham.

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