Energy

Less than a week after Hurricane Ian knocked out power to large swaths of Florida, state regulators have approved long-term plans by utilities to bolster the state's electric system.

“Attainable” housing for workers and steps to prevent a push by “woke” billionaires on issues such as energy and fossil fuels will be priorities during the next couple of legislative sessions, incoming House and Senate leaders said at the Sunshine Summit.

A much-debated plan to change the rules for rooftop solar in Florida passed the House this week. The changes will potentially make solar more expensive for future users.

Starting in July, local governments won't be able to limit what fuels utilities use. That's under a new law signed Monday by Governor Ron DeSantis.

Only about 4% of Florida’s gas stations are without fuel, but in North Florida, the figures are far higher. According to Patrick De Haan, head of Petroleum analysis for the fuel-finder app Gas Buddy, 73% of Pensacola stations, 44% of Tallahassee stations and 15% of Gainesville stations are out of fuel.

The cyber attack that brought down a pipeline that supplies 45% of the fuel to the U.S. East Coast is impacting Tallahassee and other parts of North Florida. By Monday afternoon, lines of vehicles stretched into roadways as rumors of gas shortages spread.

Environmentalists are hoping Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoes a proposal that would stop local governments from banning or restricting what fuels utilities can use. They fear it could threaten local clean energy plans.

Local governments wouldn't be able to ban or restrict the types of fuels utilities use to power customer's homes and businesses under a bill that has cleared its last House committee stop. Those powers would be preempted to the state. Now, elected officials are joining environmentalists in opposing the measure.

Local governments wouldn't be able to ban or restrict the types of fuels utilities use to power customer's homes and businesses under a bill that has cleared its last House committee stop. Those powers would be preempted to the state. Now, elected officials are joining environmentalists in opposing the measure.

At the onset of the legislative session, environmentalists were concerned about four legislative proposals that would preempt local government control over energy-related issues. Now they’re homed in on one. They argue it takes away local communities’ ability to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Susan Glickman is a long-time clean energy advocate. Robbie Gaffney recently spoke with Glickman to get her take on the proposals.