For Immediate Release

Tampa, FL — Yesterday during the Tampa City Council meeting, Council Chair Guido Maniscalco issued a strong rebuke of statewide energy preemption legislation speeding through the House and Senate. Citing Tampa’s own fight to retain local control in the face of robust industry pressure, Council Chair Maniscalco made it clear that Tampa must act quickly despite threats from the state legislature.

Advocates joined the Council meeting to give public comment on the necessity of local government action in mitigating climate disaster and investing in local communities to create clean energy jobs.

Chair Mansicalco, along with Councilmembers Joe Citro, John Dingfelder and Charlie Miranda, rejected statewide energy preemption legislation and committed their voices to the growing calls against the bills during yesterday’s Council meeting.

“While our state legislators try to strip us of the very power our constituents elected us to employ, we must stand strong,” said Council Chair Guido Maniscalco. “Time is of the essence. Local governments are on the forefront of mitigating climate change’s worst impacts, and it is our responsibility to do so without wasting any more time. It’s time to transition our state to a clean energy future — Tampa is committed to seeing that local governments are on the forefront of that push.”

Advocates highlighted the role that Tampa’s own Rep. Jackie Toledo can play in stopping the preemption bills speeding their way through the House and Senate.

“Tampa is one of the ten most at-risk cities in the country for climate change’s impending disasters; we simply cannot allow the oil and gas industry and their legislative enablers to hamstring our local elected officials’ ability to act on this crisis,” said Food & Water Watch Florida Senior Organizer Brooke Errett. “Instead, we must empower our elected officials to champion bold energy transitions that safeguard our communities against the rising tide. Rep. Toledo must represent the demands of Tampa residents and our City Council and refuse to bring these dangerous energy preemption bills for a hearing in her Local Administration and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.”

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