By Zachary Colletti, Conservatives for Clean Energy – Florida
The devastating impacts of hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton left a combined 4.7 million Floridians without power, underscoring the urgent need for a resilient energy infrastructure that can better withstand severe weather events.
While Tallahassee was spared the worst of these storms, the city’s leadership in clean energy highlights a critical path forward for all Floridians – strengthening our resiliency, protecting our communities and securing Florida’s future.
Tallahassee, with its goal of achieving 100% net clean, renewable energy by 2050, is demonstrating how clean energy can transform local economies and improve the lives of Florida families.
Our state is undergoing a significant economic transformation thanks to clean energy, with over 164,000 Floridians employed in high-skilled, well-paying jobs in that economic sector. While clean energy powers our homes and businesses even in the face of increasingly powerful storms, it also creates jobs, drives economic growth, enhances consumer choice and secures Florida’s energy independence – a winning formula all around.
Thanks to the state’s commitment to customer choice and American-led innovation in energy, Floridians now have expanded options for energy generation to cool and power their homes and appliances. This has led to a remarkable 31% increase in new customer-sited clean energy installations. Such growth demonstrates the advantages of policies that prioritize domestic solutions and reduce foreign dependency.
By flexing our energy independence, we heighten energy security while protecting consumers from volatile price fluctuations.
Looking forward, Tallahassee is well positioned to lead in the transition to clean energy and inspire other Florida cities to follow suit.
As the state becomes a hub for clean hydrogen research and development, investments in these technologies will keep Florida competitive in the global energy market and power industries like the emerging space economy.
This ongoing commitment to innovation strengthens Florida’s economy while positioning Tallahassee as a beacon for clean energy advancements.
Clean energy also protects Florida’s natural beauty and resources, which form the foundation of our communities, economy and way of life.
With significant investments in environmental restoration, including $1.5 billion toward the Everglades, state leaders are prioritizing policies that benefit both the economy and the environment. Clean energy plays a vital role in this effort, helping to preserve ecosystems that are central to Florida’s future prosperity.
As Tallahassee continues its clean energy transition, its efforts provide a model for resilience and sustainability. By embracing clean energy, the city shows the way for a reliable and affordable energy future for its residents while strengthening its ability to withstand severe weather events.
After the historic hurricane season that just concluded, it’s clear that the state should work even more closely with organizations like Conservatives for Clean Energy-Florida to champion secure, reliable and affordable clean energy.
Together, we can harness the potential of clean energy to create jobs, expand consumer choice and build a more resilient infrastructure that safeguards our state.
The road ahead is bright, and with continued leadership from Tallahassee and other like-minded cities, Florida can lead the way in innovation and sustainability. The actions we take today will lay the groundwork for a cleaner, more resilient energy landscape that benefits our state well into the future.
Zachary Colletti is the executive director of Conservatives for Clean Energy – Florida. This opinion piece was originally published by the Tallahassee Democrat, which is a media partner of The Invading Sea. Banner photo: A home with solar panels in an area flooded after Hurricane Milton. (Patrick Moore/Federal Emergency Management Agency, via Defense Visual Information Distribution Service).
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