Florida will no longer prioritize climate change in energy decisions, despite facing severe environmental threats, after Governor Ron DeSantis signed new legislation.

Anna Phillips reports for The Washington Post.

In short:

• The new law removes most mentions of climate change from state law, bans offshore wind turbines, and weakens regulations on natural gas pipelines.
• Supporters claim the law focuses on energy affordability, but climate advocates argue it is symbolic and politically motivated.
• Despite legislative changes, Florida's renewable energy, particularly solar, continues to grow due to environmental and public pressure.

Key quote:

“It feels like we’ve taken a major step backward and are no longer recognizing the dangers of greenhouse gases."

— Raymer Maguire, director of campaigns and policy for the CLEO Institute

Why this matters:

This legislation could undermine efforts to combat climate change in a state highly vulnerable to its impacts, such as stronger hurricanes and extreme heat, highlighting a significant policy shift with potential national implications. Read more about Florida's history of "don't ask, don't tell" climate strategy: With Ian, treat climate like an 'active shooter.'