By Zachary Colletti, Conservatives for Clean Energy – Florida

Floridians are no strangers to rising costs. Groceries, housing and electricity bills have put families in a financial squeeze, and they’re looking for leaders who will step up with solutions.  

Recent polling makes that clear: The majority of Florida voters are feeling the pressure of higher utility costs, and nearly 8 in 10 Floridians support expanding clean and varied energy sources like solar and nuclear power. Two-thirds say they are more likely to support candidates who advocate for solar expansion.

As someone who works every day at the intersection of energy and public policy, I see how the poll results confirm what many Floridians are experiencing: Affordability is top of mind across the political spectrum, and voters demand a conservative solution from state leadership. 

These ideas from voters should matter to Florida’s political leaders. Energy policy is no longer an abstract debate; it’s a kitchen-table issue. Families and small businesses see the impact of rising bills every month, and they are paying close attention to which leaders are offering solutions that will provide tangible relief. 

Energy independence also resonates deeply with voters, particularly Republicans (77%) who, like President Donald Trump, see it as a national security priority. Florida imports much of the fuel that drives electricity prices, so broadening our in-state energy mix is a practical hedge that helps stabilize bills, strengthens our economy and reduces our reliance on countries like China and Russia for energy and supply chains.      

Republicans are hot in Florida right now, winning places like Miami-Dade County by double digits. Florida is a deep red state because our leaders have followed through on their promises to lower taxes, support law enforcement, protect our liberties and allow businesses to thrive- conservative principles in action that have made Florida the envy of the nation. Varying our state’s energy portfolio, led by solar and complemented by nuclear, fits squarely into the playbook: It lowers bills, increases independence and makes Florida more resilient.

By continuing to adopt policies that expand solar, grow nuclear and strengthen our overall energy mix, state leaders can answer what voters are clearly asking for. In a growing state where affordability is central to our quality of life, energy policy must keep pace with the people it serves. President Trump has made energy dominance a top priority for his administration. Florida leaders should continue to follow his lead and do the same here. 

Floridians aren’t asking for politics as usual; they’re demanding lower energy costs. And they see solar and other alternatives as one of the clearest, most immediate ways to diversify our energy mix, strengthen the grid and reduce their financial strain.      

If leaders want to keep earning voters’ trust and maintain our great state as the gold standard of freedom and conservative leadership, they should unlock every available resource to speed up the adoption of these solutions and protect Floridians from rising costs.  

Zachary Colletti is executive director at Conservatives for Clean Energy – Florida. Banner photo: Solar panels at a nuclear power plant (iStock image).

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Tags: Conservatives for Clean Energy – FloridaDonald Trumpenergy independenceMiami-Dade Countynuclearpollingrenewable energyRepublicanssolarutility bills