Tallahassee, FL – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading voice for sensible energy policies for families and businesses, released its Florida Emissions Analysis, which found that emissions declined by 93% across the state since 1990. This sharp decrease is remarkable given that Florida’s Gross Domestic Product more than tripled over the same period.
This outstanding feat comes as natural gas fuels about 70% of Florida’s electricity – with more than 90% of Florida’s homes relying on electricity for heating and cooling. CEA’s analysis illustrates that we can have energy production and meet the energy needs of Florida’s families, small businesses and industries while protecting our environment at the same time.
From 1990 to 2019, Florida’s emissions of key pollutants have decreased across the board, with a:
- 93% reduction in sulfur dioxide (SO2)
- 66% reduction in nitrogen oxides (NOx)
- 56% reduction in carbon monoxide (CO)
- 41% reduction in volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
These numbers are noteworthy given that Florida’s the nation’s fourth-largest energy consuming state and more than 66% of Florida’s energy needs are met by oil and natural gas.
Moreover, while Florida’s emissions of key pollutants were plunging and the state’s economic growth was exploding by 326%, the population grew by 65% and Floridians traveled 24% more, as measured by vehicle miles per capita. All three of these usually are accompanied by emissions increases, not decreases.
“Florida has proven environmental stewardship and energy independence are not mutually exclusive, a false idea that many anti-energy extremists propagate,” CEA Florida Director Kevin Doyle said. “These emissions improvements are occurring while the United States has become the world’s leading producer of oil and natural gas, proving that rigorous environmental standards and energy production can coexist.”
“Florida has been a leader in demonstrating we can have a cleaner environment, a strong economy, and affordable and reliable energy for families and businesses across the state. It’s clear the state has achieved drastic reductions in emissions across the board during a period of substantial economic growth, while meeting the energy needs of Florida’s businesses and families – something all Floridians should be proud of,” Doyle said.
“We thank Florida’s policymakers for recognizing the importance of this work, as well their understanding that we need to promote sensible energy policies that increases domestic supplies of all resources — oil, natural gas, wind and solar, onshore and off, and in the safest and environmentally responsible way possible. That’s why Gulf states must come together to ensure that expanded access of all energy resources in the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico far from Florida’s beaches is included in future leasing opportunities while also ensuring that we do so with the strongest environmental protections for our coastline.”
This analysis follows CEA’s Energy Savings Report for Florida, which found that Florida consumers saved more than $9.3 billion from 2008-2018 in large part because of affordable natural gas. Florida’s households saved over $595 million and industries, including aerospace operations and automobile and plastics manufacturing facilities, saved more than $5.7 billion.
Not only is affordable energy essential to Florida’s families and small business operations, COVID-19 has shown how essential it is to our national supply chains and manufacturing infrastructure. All Floridians benefit from a strong energy industry and reliable energy infrastructure.
With more than 1.4 million Floridians now suffering from unemployment and small businesses and manufacturers across the state reeling from the economic downturn, it’s important to highlight the 266,800 jobs and more than $22.1 billion in economic impact that the energy industry has brought to the state.
To view the analysis, click here.
