File:Florida DOGE Targets Tampa Bay Climate Change Policies.jpeg

Florida's State Government Turns Away from Smart Climate-Related Planning

• https://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/2025/09/02/doge-climate-change-hillsborough-pinellas-stpete/

Across Tampa Bay, local governments have tried to address threats posed by human-caused climate change, like rising temperatures and increasingly devastating hurricanes.

St. Petersburg has reduced its reliance on fossil fuels powering city-owned buildings. Pinellas County once viewed electric vehicles as cost-saving, though it recently paused its EV program. Hillsborough County tallies energy savings in the millions now that its investments in solar have matured.

That progress may all be at risk now that Florida’s Department of Government Efficiency has targeted clean energy initiatives and carbon reduction strategies crafted by local leaders. State auditors, tasked with rooting out waste, fraud and abuse, requested municipalities provide them information on any “Green New Deal” policies.

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