Doug Jackson, 202.495.3045 or doug.jackson@sierraclub.org
TAMPA, FL -- Today, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) granted the final air permit for Tampa Electric Company’s (TECO) proposal to lock the Tampa Bay area into decades of dependence on climate-disrupting fossil fuels. Specifically, TECO’s proposes to expand the burning of fracked gas and recommit to burning coal at its Big Bend Power Station, at a time when all of the science agrees that Florida must stop burning these dirty, dangerous fossil fuels to avoid the worst effects of climate change, including stronger hurricanes and flooding from rising seas.
The Brookings Institution released a report just last week that found Florida cities can expect the biggest climate costs, with Tampa Bay’s economy shrinking by 16.8% by the end of the century.
In response, Sierra Club Florida Chapter Director Frank Jackalone released the following statement:
"Tampa is one of the areas of the world that is most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, and the fact that TECO is doubling down on climate-disrupting gas and coal is shockingly short-sighted. Even as they are planning a 20-feet high sea wall to protect their own property from the effects of sea level rise, they are burning the fuels that cause it. Solar energy is affordable and abundant here in the Sunshine State and TECO’s Big Bend proposal is like throwing Floridians a brick when they need a lifeline.”
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The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.