Energy and Environment

Congressman Garcia will always fight to protect Florida’s natural treasures and resources, including the Everglades, the Keys, and Florida Bay. There is no choice to be made between our environment and our economy – the future economic prosperity of South Florida depends on preserving and protecting our environment. Congressman Garcia works tirelessly to protect Florida’s coastlines from the threat of offshore oil drilling, which puts our coastal communities that depend on fishing and tourism at significant risk.

Florida’s 26th Congressional District is home to Everglades National Park and Florida Bay. A truly unique natural treasure, the Everglades is a designated World Heritage Site, an International Biosphere Reserve, and features a stunning array of biodiversity. Congressman Garcia has been a champion of Everglades restoration and protection – from fighting for Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) funding, to pressing for Everglades research and development, to demanding the US Army Corps of Engineers and Department of Interior complete critical projects that will restore water flow, improve water quality and strengthen overall Everglades system health.

Florida’s 26th Congressional District is also home to the Florida Keys. Congressman Garcia believes it is critical that we protect the quality of water surrounding the Keys – that the health of the United States’ only living coral reef and the sustainability of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary depend on it. Congressman Garcia has fought hard to bring down federal funds for the Florida Keys Water Quality Improvement Project – an initiative aimed at advancing water quality systems – and was successful in securing these funds through FY14 Army Corps appropriations.

Congressman Garcia is also committed to advancing a comprehensive national energy strategy that promotes our nation’s energy independence, reduces our dependence on foreign oil, and invests in clean energy. The time is now to start making smart decisions about how our nation speeds the transition to more sustainable sources of energy in order to protect our environment for future generations.

Congressman Garcia believes we must reestablish our global leadership in clean technology innovation. At the Department of Energy, he led efforts to secure funding for and bolster production from wind and solar power. Congressman Garcia is committed to building on those efforts in the Congress to chart a clean energy future that protects our environment and grows our economy. Congressman Garcia has supported legislation– the Incentivizing Offshore Wind Power Act – which would extend the tax credit for offshore wind in order to incentivize much-needed investment in the industry.