New Florida Law Bans Local Net-Zero Emissions Policies

A new state law limits Florida communities’ goals to end greenhouse gas emissions that warm the world’s climate and intensify natural disasters like hurricanes.

Specifically, HB 1217 prevents local governments from pursuing net-zero emissions goals. At least 10 cities and counties have implemented such policies, including Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando and Leon County, where Tallahassee, the state capital, is located. But the new law won’t upend those policies, said Bradley Marshall, senior attorney at Earthjustice, an advocacy group.

“It is definitely intended to intimidate municipalities and local governments to try to do things to advance the goals set,” he said. “Now, its impact and what it prohibits is probably about some debate. The things that are close to it—reducing emissions and policies to reduce climate change—on their face would not in the least interfere with the prohibition of adopting a net zero policy.”

The measure requires local governments to submit an affidavit annually to the Department of Revenue that ensures compliance with the law. Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, signed the measure on April 22, Earth Day, and the law will go into effect on July 1. He says “net zero policies, carbon taxes and assessments, and emission trading programs harm the energy security and economic interests of this state and are inconsistent with the energy policy and environmental policy of this state.”

“I proudly sponsored HB 1217 to fight for jobs and affordability in Florida,” according to a statement released by Rep. Berny Jacques (R-Clearwater). “This bill protects our citizens and businesses from additional costs by ending Green New Deal policies. Carbon taxes and fees are unacceptable in the Free State of Florida.”

DeSantis implemented legislation in 2024 erasing several instances of the word “climate change” from the state code and reframing the country’s fossil fuel energy policy in terms of reducing dependence on foreign sources and strengthening the energy infrastructure against “natural and human threats.” The move also repealed policies aimed at promoting the use of renewable energy. The goals were launched in 2022 after 200 Floridians, all under the age of 25, petitioned the government to move toward 100 percent clean energy by 2050, a measure scientists say is necessary to avoid the worst effects of climate change.

“This bill is definitely part of a larger coordinated plan by the political forces of the petroleum industry to block any tools – legal or legislative tools – to make the industry accountable for its role in climate change,” said Laura Peterson, senior analyst at the Union for Concerned Scientists, an advocacy group. “Florida is really ahead. So I think the governor is taking this step because he sees what’s going on. It’s not getting better. So I can only imagine that this is an attempt to satisfy some of the pressure he’s getting from donors and his party to protect the industry. And he’s doing it at the expense of his constituents.”

There is overwhelming scientific consensus that fossil fuel emissions have accelerated the warming of the planet since the industrial age, leading to more catastrophic disasters like hurricanes. Another study concluded that it is now scientifically possible to link individual emitters to specific injuries, due to guilt.

HB 1217 also prohibits local governments from purchasing items such as vehicles or appliances based on fuel consumption or production. Local governments must not participate in carbon trading programs or use public funds to support other organizations with net-zero policies. Cities and counties also don’t have to charge taxes or fees associated with carbon emissions.

When the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) announced in 2020 its commitment to zero emissions by 2050, the municipal utility and city were recognized as leaders in a region where most local governments at the time focused on climate impacts such as sea level rise and flooding. The commitment began one of the biggest changes at the company in its century-long history, utility leaders said at the time. OUC is the second largest municipal utility in the state, serving more than 288,000 customers in Orange and Osceola counties.

“We are aware of the law regarding net-zero emissions policies,” OUC said in a statement provided to Inside Climate News. “We are focused on delivering reliable, affordable energy while continuing to reduce our carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in a responsible and balanced manner. As of 2020, we have made significant progress in reducing CO2 emissions and are committed to further reductions including a 50 percent reduction by 2030 and 75 percent by 2040.”

Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale counties, as well as Broward and Miami-Dade counties are also pursuing net-zero emissions goals by 2050. Miami, Miramar, Pinellas County and Sarasota have similar policies.

But in Leon County, leaders took a few steps back in response to HB 1217. They revoked the 2023 resolution that declared a climate emergency. They also rolled back plans to phase out gasoline-powered cars and amended the policy to remove the mandate for paper recycling. The Paul Russell Road facility, billed by the county as the first state-refunded building to achieve net-zero certification, will lose that certification, although the building’s solar and energy systems will continue to operate intact.

Susan Glickman, vice president of policy and engagement at the CLEO Institute, an advocacy group, is concerned that the legislation could negatively impact other local policies aimed at moving Florida toward clean energy.

“It means everyone is going to pay more on their electricity bills, and a lot of people can’t get a big energy bill,” he said. “But there are a lot of people who can’t, and this comes at a time when housing prices are going up, groceries are going up and insurance is going up. So there are people out there who are suffering.”