DeSantis' Green PR Push Fizzling, With Almost Nothing Substantive Likely From Florida Legislature

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Climate change: DeSantis drew attention by appointing the state’s first resilience officer and a chief science officer early in his administration — signaling a willingness to move away from predecessor Gov. Rick Scott, who refused to acknowledge the threat of climate change. But environmentalists are disappointed at DeSantis’ modest steps since then. And Democrats this session are expected to push Republican legislative leaders to do more.

The Senate held its first-ever meeting on climate change in October. But so far, there is no sign that lawmakers will do more than what DeSantis has proposed in setting aside a $6 million grant program for local governments battling sea level rise and using the state’s portion of a national settlement with auto maker Volkswagen to make more electric buses and charging stations available.

DeSantis also is asking lawmakers for new standards to reduce nutrients in agricultural runoff — a recommendation of the Blue-Green Algae Task Force he created. In addition, the governor wants septic tank inspections moved from the state’s Health Department to the Department of Environmental Protection, where the impact of seepage can be better evaluated.

Environmental groups, though, want more pro-active measures. They want lawmakers to consider some version of the energy goals intended to cut the state’s greenhouse emissions that were enacted under former Republican Gov. Charlie Crist, now a Democratic congressman from St. Petersburg. These efforts were rolled back early in Scott’s term. And despite whatever discussion ensues, Republican lawmakers this year probably won’t do anything that gets ahead of DeSantis on climate change policy.

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https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2020/01/13/florida-legislature-toll-roads-amendment-4-guns-part-session/4447993002/