Ron DeSantis has vetoed a grant to encourage energy efficiency. Credit: Brian Snyder/Reuters
Governor Ron DeSantis withdrew $350m (£275m) from Joe Biden's flagship climate bill to Florida, infuriating lawmakers in his state.
DeSantis' action , who is running for president in 2024, could be crucial. a significant blow to Biden's economic program.
The Presidential Inflation Reduction Act was passed by Congress in 2022 and includes $783 billion in tax credits and funding to incentivize green energy projects to fight climate change.
Florida was eligible for about $350 million in the form of energy efficiency benefits in accordance with the Law. legislation that included discounts that went directly to customers.
The Republican-controlled state legislature requested and approved a grant for the program, but Mr. DeSantis vetoed it.
This would allow residents of the state to access $346 million to help cover the upfront costs of upgrading their homes, purchasing energy efficient appliances such as heat pumps, and reducing energy costs.
Rod DeSantis suffered a power outage during a press conference as Hurricane Idalia left 250,000 homes without power and properties sank on Wednesday
Mr. DeSantis also withdrew $3 million in funding to help the state fight pollution and developed a program to help low-income residents access solar panels.
Kathy Castor, Congresswoman The Democrat representing Florida's 14th district accused Mr. DeSantis of pursuing his own goals in the fight for the White House in 2024.
She said, “It feels like we've been ripped off by a governor who puts his political interests ahead of the interests of the people.”
Another congressman from Florida, Darren Soto, said, “He's pointlessly making the state more vulnerable. Many other Republican-majority states have not acted so foolishly.”
Mr. DeSantis' actions effectively create a blockade of Mr. Biden's historic law in one of the nation's most populous states.
The $454bn (£357bn) bill was the president's flagship move to combat climate change and reform the tax system. codes and subsidize health care.
Mr. Biden toured the country this summer to mark the first anniversary of the legislation and tout its success, believing it could prove decisive for holding Congress and the White House in the 2024 election year.< /p>Smaller amounts are rejected
But Mr. DeSantis' veto could have a ripple effect and encourage other Republican governors to use the funding as a weapon and effectively dampen its impact.
For now, Mr. DeSantis is the only governor to block energy rebates apart from other Republican leaders. waived smaller amounts for other climate change projects.
“Unfortunately, some officials are prioritizing politics over making meaningful progress for hard-working Americans,” White House spokesman Michael Kikukawa told Politico.< /p >
Despite this, President Biden and his administration are working with cities, counties, businesses, nonprofits, and others in the Sunshine State to ensure that Florida residents benefit from the cost savings and economic growth that his program provides.
White House officials reportedly believe Florida will eventually gain access to rebates, but believe Mr. DeSantis can wait until the end of the Republican presidential primaries — or even the 2024 general election — before than change course.
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