Florida Youth Seek 100% Renewable Energy Goal
On January 5, 2022, young people in Florida - led by former youth plaintiffs in Reynolds v. State of Florida - filed a petition for rulemaking, signed by over 200 young Floridians, with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) asking it to establish a goal to generate 100% of Florida’s electricity from renewable energy by 2050.
On Thursday, April 21, 2022, in response to this youth-led effort, FDACS Commissioner Nikki Fried released a proposed rule that uses the language proposed by the youth and sets the following renewable energy goals for Florida utilities: at least 40% by 2030, 63% by 2035, 82% by 2040, and 100% by 2050. The proposed rule also requires utilities to submit their 10-year energy plans to FDACS so the agency can evaluate whether the utilities’ long term energy plans are consistent with meeting the renewable energy goals, and requires FDACS to annually report the utilities’ progress in meeting the goals to the Public Service Commission, Governor, and Legislature.
A recording of the 4/21/22 press conference, featuring youth petitioners Delaney and Valholly, can be viewed on the FDACS Facebook page here.
URGENT: Submit a Public Comment of Support to FDACS by May 12th!
While this proposed rule is a huge step forward, there is still work to do - and young people in Florida need your help!
Members of the public now have 21 days to submit public comments to FDACS in support of this proposed rule. Submit your public comment by May 12th here or by emailing Kelley Smith Burk, FDACS Energy Director, at Energy@FDACS.gov.
You’ll also find a sample letter that you can use as a template for your own public comment here.
After you’ve submitted your public comment, please help us spread the word and encourage friends, family, and others to submit a comment too by using our social media toolkit here!
It only takes a few minutes to have a big impact, standing in solidarity with the youth who submitted their petition for rulemaking to FDACS while also expressing public support for renewable energy in Florida. Submitting a public comment is a quick, easy, and powerful way to let FDACS know that Floridians support this commitment to rapidly transitioning Florida’s utilities to renewable energy sources!
Submit Your Public Comment of Support by May 12th!
Thank you for taking action for climate justice in Florida. If you are a young Floridian who might want to join future climate legal action in the Sunshine State, please fill out our new client interest form today.
MORE ABOUT THE PETITION FOR RULEMAKING
Why Submit This Petition for Rulemaking?
Florida is ground zero for climate change. The climate crisis is already having devastating impacts on Florida: rising sea levels and resultant flooding, beach erosion and damage to coastal property, extreme damage to marine ecosystems, spread of infectious diseases, and increased severity of storms and extreme weather events. Florida's tourism, agriculture, and recreation industries are all suffering.
Florida is the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the U.S. Florida’s state government has known for decades of the dangers of climate change but has done little to protect its youngest citizens by taking aggressive action to avert the crisis.
Only 4.3% of Florida’s energy comes from renewable sources, while natural gas makes up 75% of Florida's electricity system. Even though the Florida legislature has mandated an increase in the use of renewable energy and a reduction in the state’s dependence on fossil fuels, FDACS has ignored the law and Florida’s electricity system is still dominated by fossil fuels.
Experts have concluded that it is economically and technically feasible to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2050. Transitioning to renewable energy would create 222,082 construction jobs and 90,727 operation jobs, reduce energy costs and save lives. State government should not be standing in the way of a new energy future for Florida!