Ron DeSantis rejects $350 MILLION from Biden for energy efficiency initiatives to make homes greener and help the poor access solar panels
- Law money from inflation reduction could have reduced energy costs for consumers
- Biden touts the law as one of his administration’s best achievements
- READ MORE: One BILLION people will die from climate change by 2100, study claims
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has rejected some $350 million in energy efficiency incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act signed by President Joe Biden that could have reduced costs for consumers.
The law, which Biden has touted as one of his administration’s greatest achievements, gives governors the power to block a handful of programs.
And DeSantis, who is running for the Republican presidential nominee, has done just that: Politics reported.
Biden and officials in his administration have been scattered across the country touting the benefits of the $1.2 trillion legislation. And many Democrats believe the bill’s benefits will boost the president in the 2024 general election.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis turned down about $350 million in federal funds
But DeSantis has vetoed energy discounts for Florida consumers, as have the Republican governors of Iowa and South Dakota. The money could lower energy bills and includes financing specifically for low-income households.
The state energy department requested the funds and the state legislature approved them, but in July DeSantis used his veto to keep the money out of the state.
“It’s clear from the government’s talks with the Florida state energy office that they want to fund the rebate,” a government official told Politico. “After all, that’s why the request for access to administrative funding was in the budget line that DeSantis vetoed in the first place—because the state energy agency asked for it.”
Florida has until August next year to request the $346 million in funds — otherwise the Department of Energy can give it to other states.
DeSantis’ office did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request that the governor reconsider accepting the money.
The state faces billions in damage from Hurricane Idalia. Florida also experienced record high temperatures this summer, with 2023 being Miami’s hottest year yet.
DeSantis has spoken out against what he calls “frivolous” federal spending, citing the Inflation Reduction Act as an example.
President Joe Biden has made the Inflation Reduction Act his signature piece of legislation
He denounces the “wake up” politics, including clean energy, that Biden’s law pushes for.
The funds he voted for included $5 million in federal money to fund administrative expenses associated with a $174 million rebate program for energy efficiency improvements and a $173 million rebate program for the purchase of energy-efficient home appliances.
DeSantis also rejected a $24 million federal grant that would have been used to improve rural wastewater systems.