OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill on Wednesday that orders the removal of all references to “climate change” from state law.
DeSantis declared on X Wednesday that a bill he signed that removes climate change as a priority in state energy policy would restore “sanity” and reject “the agenda of the radical green zealots.”
“The legislation I signed today—HB 1645, HB 7071, and HB 1331—will keep windmills off our beaches, gas in our tanks, and China out of our state. We’re restoring sanity in our approach to energy and rejecting the agenda of the radical green zealots. Furthermore, we’re going to ensure foreign adversaries like China have no foothold in our state,” he noted.
The bill, which would also prohibit offshore wind turbines and enhance natural gas expansion, is set to take effect on July 1.
The legislation, which removes most references to climate change from state law, represents a reversal of many policies and legislation introduced during the tenure of then-Republican Governor Charlie Crist, who became a Democrat that DeSantis defeated in the 2022 gubernatorial race.
The legislation I signed today—HB 1645, HB 7071, and HB 1331—will keep windmills off our beaches, gas in our tanks, and China out of our state.
We’re restoring sanity in our approach to energy and rejecting the agenda of the radical green zealots.
Furthermore, we’re going to… pic.twitter.com/G13RcdxIBR
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) May 15, 2024
Now, according to a legislative analysis cited by Axios, the focus will be on “an adequate, reliable and cost-effective supply of energy for the state in a manner that promotes the health and welfare of the public and economic growth.”
The outlet said that the law does not prevent the state Legislature from addressing climate concerns to the extent there are any, in legislation. Also, it does not impact Florida’s burgeoning solar energy sector.
Meanwhile, Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis denied on Monday that she would seek the governorship in 2026 after he leaves office.
The Republican governor addressed rumors at a Coral Gables event regarding his wife’s political aspirations. A hypothetical Republican primary for governor would favor Casey DeSantis heavily, according to recent polls.
Asked about those polls, DeSantis smiled and told reporters, “If I had to characterize her interest in getting into the political thicket as a candidate, I would say, I would characterize it as zero. But, you know, I think it’s because she has had a front-row seat on all the nonsense that goes on when you do it.”
The governor said that the First Lady’s successful initiatives, such as Hope Florida, which assists those on government welfare in returning to work, are the reason some have suggested she run for governor.
Casey DeSantis was a regular on the campaign trail as her husband, the governor, made an ultimately fruitless effort to win the Republican nomination for 2024. Many times, political watchers and supporters said that the First Lady was the star of her husband’s events because of her charisma and motivational cancer survival story. Sometimes the couple’s small children, who ranged in age from three to seven, would go with them.
In a 2023 interview with Fox News’ Harris Faulkner, DeSantis emphasized that “humility” defined her as the first lady of the Sunshine State.
“I think one who looks at the role with a lot of humility,” Casey said. “It isn’t about me. It is about being in a position to be able to do good on behalf of the people of this state and hopefully of this country.”
Gov. DeSantis made headlines last week when his state filed a lawsuit against the administration after his Department of Education issued significant new rule changes to Title IX, accusing President Joe Biden of “abusing his constitutional authority.”
DeSantis took to social media to announce the lawsuit, stating that Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina were also joining the legal action. The lawsuit challenges the Biden administration’s alterations to Title IX, which include preventing schools from prohibiting biological males from participating in women’s sports, among other provisions.
