TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) -- A Florida nonprofit is reflecting on environmental victories from the general election and what's next for the Sunshine State.
Rethink Energy Florida says it's encouraged by the positions of newly elected officials. They say it's time to ban fracking in Florida and to support legislation that protects the environment and avoids corporate interest.
About 15 members met Wednesday to go over what went right in their opinion with the election. That includes anti-fracking legislation, a tax to clean up the Indian River Lagoon, and voters rejecting "Amendment 1" regarding solar energy use.
The group applauded the city of St. Petersburg for being Florida's first city to commit to 100 percent renewable energy, using $250,000 from its settlement with BP to put the plan in motion.
One of the big issues currently is the construction of the Sabal Trail Pipeline. President Kim Ross said the pipeline is bad news for the state, and the group is committed to sharing that message with lawmakers.
"We think that if the public is aware, they're not going to be happy with the idea that there's a new pipeline being laid, new infrastructure being laid for fracked gas to come to the state of Florida and probably to be exported from the state of Florida to other areas," Ross said. "We don't think that it's necessary. We think we should be investing in renewable energy instead."
Rethink Energy Florida will be part of a rally Monday afternoon at the Old Capitol about the pipeline. Ross said it'll focus less on the environmental concerns and more on holding the government accountable.
