Tampa, FL — This week, the Hillsborough County-City Planning Commission introduced the Environmental and Mobility sections updates of the Tampa Comprehensive Plan in a series of three public meetings. The County’s plan includes language from a Tampa City Council resolution passed in August 2021 calling for 100% clean, renewable energy by 2035.

The move comes amidst rising constituent pressure to combat the high cost of fossil fuels driving county-wide rate increases. Since 2020, the price of gas has tripled, and since January 2019, the average Tampa Electric bill has increased 62%.

Food & Water Watch Senior Florida Organizer Brooke Ward issued the following statement:

“We are happy to see that the Hillsborough County planning commission has adopted language phasing out our costly and dangerous reliance on fossil fuels, and proud that this was born out of the citizen-led push for a Tampa City Council resolution passed in 2021 calling for 100% clean renewable energy by 2035.

“At a time when Hillsborough County families have seen skyrocketing utility bills, driven by the volatile costs of dirty fossil fuels, it is critical that Tampa double down on their commitment to transition to a clean, renewable future. We hope to see Hillsborough County move off fossil fuels county-wide by incorporating similar measures in the unincorporated Hillsborough Comprehensive Plan. Nothing less than our climate, health, and affordable energy are at stake.”

Per the Commission’s website, “the Environmental and Sustainability Section provides a framework for the conservation, use, and protection of natural resources, wetlands, lakes, soil conservation, Hillsborough River, and alternative energy.” The section updates are under public and stakeholder review, with public comment open until July 7th. The plan will be presented to and potentially adopted by the Tampa City Council later this year.