Energy

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.

Environmentalists are concerned over a series of bills aimed at promoting consumer choice by preempting local government control of energy-related issues. Senate Bill 1128 is one of them. It would stop local governments from being able to restrict or ban utilities from using certain fuel sources like natural gas.

Lawmakers are trying to provide relief to Floridians who can’t pay their utility bills. They’ve filed a proposal that would allow families to go on a repayment plan to pay their outstanding bills. The measure’s sponsor, Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith (D-Winter Park) says the legislature could use funds from the new federal COVID-19 relief package to reimburse utilities who provide the plans.

Local governments wouldn't be able to regulate things like gas stations under a bill advancing through the Senate. The measure would give that power to the state instead.