Clean Energy & Florida's Environment

Clean Energy

It is in our country’s best interest environmentally, economically, and for our national security to transition away from imported oil to domestically available, renewable, and clean sources of alternative energy. Throughout his time in Congress, Congressman Young has supported efforts to protect Florida’s environment and incentives for clean, alternative forms of energy, including solar, wind and biofuels.

One of the most important things we must do is to protect consumers by focusing on the high costs of energy. At the same time we are investing in long term renewable energy solutions, we should also be taking advantage of the fuel we currently have. Most importantly, that means that the government should not take steps that would punish families for simply going about their everyday lives.

Cap and Trade is the wrong route to take. Even the President acknowledges that electricity rates would “necessarily skyrocket” under Cap and Trade. That is why Congressman Young voted against Cap and Trade in the 111th Congress and supports legislation that prohibits the EPA from implementing these policies through regulations.

Congressman Young was able to assist the City of St. Petersburg convert wastewater sludge and yard waste to renewable energy and create a sustainable solar energy network to provide the electricity required to power 40 city parks. Congressman Young has supported tax incentives to create new clean energy production. He is also supportive of initiatives to require auto manufacturers to increase the fuel efficiency of the cars sold in America.

Florida’s Environment

Congressman Young knows that conserving and protecting our environment, open space, coastal waters, national forests and endangered species are important priorities for Florida and our nation. Throughout his career, he has sought to protect Florida’s unique environment, including working in Congress to authorize and fund Pinellas County beach restoration projects. These projects are not only a matter of public safety, as they provide a buffer between the Gulf and public and private property along the coastline, they are also a major economic draw for the thousands of tourists who visit Pinellas County each year to enjoy our wide, beautiful beaches. The economic impact of these visitors is not only considerable in Pinellas County but to the entire state of Florida.

Just as important to Florida and our nation is the restoration occurring in the Everglades. Congressman Young does not believe that postponing, delaying or obstructing the cleanup of the Everglades is the right thing to do. In fact, during his chairmanship of the Appropriations Committee, he negotiated the final agreement that became the first major legislation authorizing the Everglades project. The state and federal government have worked hard to build an agreement that fully funds the Everglades restoration and we should not do anything to weaken this relationship or reverse our promise. Congressman Young looks forward to the day when we can declare the Everglades as healthy and protected from further pollution.

While in office Congressman Young has worked tirelessly to enact key legislation to protect Florida’s environment. Some of these measures in the 111th Congress included:

• H.R. 481, the Complete America's Great Trails Act;
• H.R. 2258, the National Hurricane Research Initiative Act;.