Local Florida Governments Sue DeSantis Over Laws That Block Climate Action - CleanTechnica

The article discusses a significant legal battle unfolding in Florida, where 25 local governments, including Manatee County, have sued Governor Ron DeSantis and his administration over the recently enacted SB 180 law. This legislation, effective July 1, 2024, restricts local governments from implementing climate resilience and sustainability measures in their planning and zoning regulations. The law freezes local land development policies retroactively to August 2024 and prohibits any local restrictions that are “more restrictive or burdensome” than state standards. It also blocks state support for renewable energy initiatives, bans offshore wind turbine construction in state waters, and limits local authority over fuel use in appliances. These measures undermine local efforts to address climate change and disaster resilience, particularly in vulnerable coastal areas. Manatee County’s proposed comprehensive plan amendments, which included protecting wetlands by restricting development near marshes and controlling urban sprawl, were deemed violations of SB 180. The county faces threats of funding cuts and removal of officials for pursuing these climate-focused