DeSantis Presidential Energy Plan vs. Gubernatorial Reality

Like much else in his GOP presidential campaign, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ recent (and much-touted) economic policy speech came up short.

Instead of injecting new life into his struggling campaign, DeSantis’ “Declaration of Economic Independence” plan revealed energy policy contradictory from that implemented by the governor in the Sunshine State.

(CCP comments at 17:35, energy policy comments at 21:07)

Two points in the 10-point plan are especially noteworthy. First is “taking back control of our economy from China and restoring our economic sovereignty.”

Per the DeSantis campaign website:

Taking Back Control of our Economy from China and Restoring our Economic Sovereignty  

• DeSantis will end our abusive relationship with the CCP, reverse our ever-increasing trade deficits, ban imports of goods made from stolen intellectual property, strengthen protections to stop child and forced labor, and end China’s preferential trade status.
• DeSantis will demand that American companies act in accordance with American interests — which means preventing companies from sharing critical technologies with China and banning the sale of strategic assets like farmland to CCP members and their affiliates.
• DeSantis will incentivize the repatriation of U.S. capital from China through strategic tax abatements and aligning market incentives with strategic goals to help secure our supply chains and invest in America.

Secondly the plan calls for “unleashing American energy independence.”

Again, from the campaign website:

Unleashing American Energy Independence 

• DeSantis will unleash our domestic energy sector, modernize and protect our grid, and advance American energy independence. This will not only increase our economic and national security while reducing inflation, it will also help fuel a manufacturing renaissance that will create jobs, revitalize our communities, and improve our standard of living. We can no longer afford to tie one arm behind our economy’s back by prioritizing the left’s ideological agenda, crushing regulations, and endless permitting requirements.
• DeSantis will reverse the federal government’s attempt to force people to buy electric vehicles. We will save the American automobile.

But are these policies the experience with which Florida residents are living?

From the headlines

In Florida utility bills could rise to pay for new natural gas technology, the Tampa Bay Times reports:

TALLAHASSEE — Floridians could see their electric bills increase again in the next two years so that utility companies can build infrastructure that captures methane emitted from solid waste and turns it into natural gas under a measure getting approval from legislators.

The Senate Community Affairs Committee gave unanimous approval to SB 1162 on Wednesday, despite appeals from residential customers who complained about rising electric bills. The bill would create incentives for the development of renewable natural gas and green hydrogen and allow utility companies to add the cost of building the new technology to customer bills.

The Palm Beach Post reveals similarly in Electric bill hike coming for Florida Power & Light customers in April:

Florida Power & Light customers will pay much more for their electricity in April after regulators approved the utility’s request on Tuesday.

Just how much depends on where you live.

And Price of Power: Tampa Bay area residents struggle to pay rising electricity bills was the WFTS Tampa Bay’s reporting:

TAMPA, Fla. — The current cost of electricity has Tampa Bay area residents worried about keeping their lights on.

A report just released by Wallet Hub found Tampa Bay has the highest inflation rate in the country — including everything from food to utilities.

Many Americans are rightfully skeptical of corporate media – including us here at WB Daily. That said, a simple search of Florida electric prices yields an undeniable consistency in recent reporting.

A Second Opinion on DeSantis’ ‘American Energy Independence’

Dave Walsh, former President/CEO of Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, is an energy consultant and Florida resident. He offers important perspective with regard to DeSantis and his administration’s impact on the Florida energy environment.

Per Walsh, DeSantis’ energy policy has prompted a “solarization” of the state such that actions of Florida Power & Light and others within the state’s energy sector will cause consumer rates to increase three to four times their current levels. DeSantis’ policies will also further exacerbate electricity shortages.

And while Florida is the focus of Walsh’s comments, he details how other states (including Texas!) also face serious energy issues.

Click here for more interesting Dave Walsh perspective.

President Ron DeSantis? Is America ready or not?   

Practical energy concerns, some on a daily basis, are becoming a component in the lives of many Americans. DeSantis’ national rhetoric contrasted with the reality of his state’s policies don’t bode well for America.

When asked if ready or not for a President Ron DeSantis, Republican voters are increasingly answering with an emphatic “not.” This seems one more reason to stick with that response.

Lou Ann Anderson worked in central Texas talk radio as both a host and producer and currently hosts Political Pursuits: The Podcast. Her tenure as Watchdog Wire–Texas editor involved covering state news and coordinating the site’s citizen journalist network. As a past Policy Analyst with Americans for Prosperity–Texas, Lou Ann wrote and spoke on a variety of issues including the growing issue of probate abuse in which wills, trusts, guardianships and powers of attorney are used to loot assets from intended heirs or beneficiaries.