A lawsuit claims Florida’s Public Service Commission is hindering the shift to cleaner energy by approving utility plans that rely on fossil fuels.
The complaint was filed on behalf of six young Floridians, aged 18 to 25, arguing that the commission’s actions breach state law and the constitutional rights of youth to a livable future.
The lawsuit states, “The Commission’s conduct has created and locked in for decades a fossil fuel-dependent electricity sector in Florida that emits nationally and globally significant amounts of climate pollution into the atmosphere.” It claims the promotion of renewable energy, mandated by the Legislature since 2006, has been obstructed.
Filed initially in Miami-Dade County in October for one plaintiff, the lawsuit now includes five more plaintiffs from areas highly vulnerable to climate change impacts such as rising seas and harsher storms.
Central to the case are the 10-year site plans from Florida’s leading electric utilities. These plans, which involve the only state-agency-coordinated long-term energy planning, heavily favor fossil fuels despite the availability of more affordable renewable options. Gas accounts for about 75% of Florida’s electricity, according to the complaint.
The plaintiffs are seeking a declaratory judgment that the commission’s approval of these plans violates fundamental rights. The Florida Public Service Commission has not commented on the ongoing litigation.
Andrea Rodgers, deputy director at Our Children’s Trust, which supports the lawsuit, stated that young Floridians are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts and that legislative measures have limited their avenues for relief.
Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation in May to reduce reliance on foreign energy sources, which removed references to “climate change” from state codes and nullified renewable energy goals adopted in 2022.
Our Children’s Trust has filed legal actions nationwide. In 2023, it achieved a landmark victory in Montana, where a court recognized a constitutional duty to protect citizens from climate change.
“It makes me really nervous for my future.”
— Gabriela Barreto, University of Florida student
In Florida, plaintiffs include Delaney Reynolds, 25, and Jasmine Williams, 18, who face climate-related challenges such as hurricanes and climate gentrification. Julie Topf, 25, Vanessa Salazar, 19, and Peter Kellogg, 22, share concerns over extreme weather and its impact on their lives and families.
Gabriela Barreto, 19, expressed anxiety about climate impacts on her Miami neighborhood, emphasizing the need to raise awareness of these issues.
Original Story at insideclimatenews.org