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Renewable Energy Plan Back Before The Florida Legislature, Dems Hope For Republican Support

A man installs solar panels onto the roof of a house.
Sebastian Rothe
/
Adobe Stock
A bill to ban oil drilling in Florida and create a renewable energy plan is back before the legislature.

A bill to ban oil drilling in Florida is back before the legislature for the third time. The proposal also calls for the state to use 100% renewable sources for electricity by 2040. The bill's sponsor is Rep. Anna Eskamani (D-Orlando). She says she's spoken with Republican leaders about the proposal.

“I’ve already spoken to the speaker of the House about this legislation before it was filed and you know, his remarks was to trust the process and to see what the final product looked like before he would offer me a thumbs up or not and so we have the bill filed, we’re building up the cosponsor support and we’re hoping for Republican support.”

The proposal requires Florida’s Office of Energy to work with colleges, utilities, and other entities to create a renewable energy plan. Part of that plan includes reducing carbon emissions to net zero by 2050.

Robbie Gaffney graduated from Florida State University with degrees in Digital Media Production and Creative Writing. Before working at WFSU, they recorded FSU’s basketball and baseball games for Seminole Productions as well as interned for the PBS Station in Largo, Florida. Robbie loves playing video games such as Shadow of the Colossus, Animal Crossing, and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles. Their other hobbies include sleeping and watching anime.