“President Trump’s executive order tells us how he really feels about Tampa Bay’s fragile, important environment and the economy that depends on it,” U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor said.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, released this following statement on what she called President Donald Trump’s attack on the environment and U.S. economy through his executive order.

The executive order, issued Tuesday (March 28), dismantles environmental protections and, Castor said, undermines the Clean Power Plan, harms efforts to address the impacts of the changing climate, and rolls back other vital environmental protections.

Castor’s statement:

“In a striking move backward in America’s effort to create clean energy jobs and slow the increasing costs of the changing climate, President Trump signed an order to weaken environmental protections and heap costs on our kids. By signing the latest in a line of dangerous executive orders, Trump is trying to dismantle America’s commitment to avert climate catastrophe and to stifle America’s clean energy future.

“Trump’s executive order will cost Floridians a lot. Unless we can slow the damage caused by climate change, Floridians will pay more for property insurance, flood insurance, beach renourishment and local taxes as the costs of water infrastructure and coastal resource protection rise. Florida’s economic health is tied directly to its environmental health.  According to the Florida League of Cities, Florida has more private property at risk from flooding than any other state. Climate change could cost $69 billion in coastal property damage by 2030 and $152 billion in damage to coastal Florida properties by 2050.

“Florida’s clean energy future tied to solar and renewable energy is bright, but President Trump and Republican lawmakers cannot continue to take us backwards. This is policy for 50 years ago. According to a new Sierra Club analysis of Department of Energy jobs data, clean energy jobs outnumber fossil fuel jobs by more than 2.5 to 1. More striking, clean energy jobs outnumber all jobs in coal and gas by 5 to 1.

“By signing this executive order, Trump endangers the fast growing clean energy job sector and slows Florida from unleashing its potential solar power that would save consumers money and reduce carbon pollution. Floridians know the direct impact of climate change, with its detrimental impact on our families, the economy and the budget of our state and local governments, is already upon us. We’ve got to focus on innovative solutions, including efforts like co-generation plants, energy efficient appliances and renewable energy conservation so that we can protect our natural resource and energize our economy. With 109,000 new clean energy construction and manufacturing jobs in Florida being created by 2030 and 206,000 jobs by 2050, it makes economic sense to curtail hurtful carbon pollution from power plants.

“Actions speak louder than words – and President Trump’s executive order tells us how he really feels about Tampa Bay’s fragile, important environment and the economy that depends on it.”

Castor represents the 14th Congressional District, which covers a portion of Hillsborough County.

For information on Castor, go to castor.house.gov.

Kathy Castor | Environment | Climate Change | Energy | Jobs | Pollution | TB Reporter

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