Washington D.C. – In case you missed it, earlier today Representative Lois Frankel (FL-22) was joined by LCV’s Vice President of Political Affairs Craig Auster to discuss Governor Ron DeSantis’s decision to put his polluter allies over the health of Florida families and reject the federal clean energy funds made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

WATCH: Governor rejects rebates funds

Implementing these laws is crucial to the health and livelihoods of Florida families. Thanks to these laws, there have already been over $500 million in new clean energy investments and nearly 1,800 jobs created in Florida over the last year.

“Climate change is real, even though it seems like our governor wants to deny it,” said Representative Lois Frankel (FL-22). “Let me tell you the kinds of things we are going to miss out on. This was going to be an opportunity to help our low income families get rebates for purchases of air conditioners, electric stoves, clothes dryers, water heaters, electric wiring— and those are just some examples. Not only were they going to get money back in their pockets, but it would have altogether worked to reduce the use of energy in our community. I’ll say it again — climate change is real, and so is energy costs to consumers. We need to do our part to save our beautiful environment, and our lives for our children and grandchildren.”

“Governor DeSantis is yet again putting his extremist ideology and ambitions above the best interests of the people of this state,” said LCV Vice President of Political Affairs Craig Auster. “He has rejected federal funds to help families make their homes more comfortable and energy efficient, and just three weeks ago missed the deadline to have Florida apply for grants from the Biden-Harris administration’s Solar for All program which will help low-income residents install solar on their roofs or non-profits build community solar projects for renters to tap into. Once again, he is choosing the national media spotlight over the Floridians he was elected to serve.”

This year, Florida’s record-breaking heat has already cost lives and driven up expenses for hard-working families. And, the long-term impacts on the state’s waters, oceans and wildlife will have devastating consequences for the state’s economy, communities and families if action is not taken now.

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