The California groups financing City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow’s One Tallahassee political committee wants a progressive majority on the city commission to support a rapid transition to renewable energy and if they don’t, the group will withhold financial support in future elections.
That is the message conveyed by Caroline Spears who is the founder of the Climate Cabinet Action Fund (CCAF), which is a social welfare group that seeks to “solve climate change” by electing state and local officials who will pursue renewable energy goals.
When asked in an interview what happens if an elected official supported by the CCAF does not support the climate change agenda when elected, Spears stated that financial support in future elections would end.
The interviewer: “So, I guess the stick is, ‘We’re not going to help you next time when you try to get reelected.’ I mean, that’s the real stick.”
Spears: “Yeah.”
California Groups Support Inman-Johnson
Since the primary election – August 20 – Matlow’s PAC has raised $179,900, $175,000 or 98% of the funds have come from out-of-state donors which include environmental groups like CCAF and the Green Advocacy Group.
Matlow’s PAC is supporting Dot Inman-Johnson’s bid for city commission. In addition, the Inman-Johnson campaign has received donations from the California based group. When asked about the support, Inman-Johnson stated, “I don’t know of anything I as a citizen could give them, except being a good environmental advocate for our community, protecting our national natural resources and making sure we are doing things to ensure we have clean water, not polluted, clean air, and our natural re- sources,” she said.
However, the groups are very clear about what they expect.
For example, it was reported just days ago that the Green Advocacy Project – the same group that donated to Mat- low’s PAC – has contributed $180,000 to a Vermont-based super PAC that’s using the money to boost candidates who will support the rapid transition to renewable energy. In Vermont, the debate is over how the move will impact electric rates. No such debate has taken place in Tallahassee.
Tallahassee Electric Rates
Solving climate change through the rapid transition from natural gas to renew- able energy in Tallahassee would drive up electric rates. Currently, natural gas is the fuel used to generate approximately 95% of the electricity used by Tallahassee utility customers. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, electricity rates in U.S. states have diverged sharply in recent decades. In 2004, residential electricity in the five most expensive states was only twice as expensive on average as in the five most affordable states. Today it is 160% more expensive.
What explains the difference?
Eight of the 10 most costly states have enacted renewable portfolio standards, “net zero” carbon emission mandates, and regional cap-and-trade schemes. Among the most populous states, Florida stands out. Florida has taken advantage of the shale boom, prioritizing natural gas over renewable energy. That has kept electricity prices low.
Florida relies on natural gas for 75% of its electricity, more than any other large state. Of the five largest states, the other four—California, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas—all have significant natural-gas reserves, while Florida has none. Yet compared with Florida, residential electricity is 27% more expensive in Pennsylvania, 60% more expensive in New York and 137% more expensive in California. Even pro-energy, GOP-controlled Texas has more expensive electricity than Florida, partly because of its large renewable energy sector, which makes its grid costly and difficult to operate.
Because it has avoided the climate policies of other states, Florida is better positioned to weather the historic energy’s carcity crisis now bearing down on America’s electricity grid. Just as electricity demand is soaring across the country, driven by electric vehicles and artificial-intelligence data centers, federal policy is constraining the grid’s ability to meet the new demand. Grid operators are already sounding the alarm.
Some point to states with high renewable penetration and low electricity prices as proof that renewables are reliable, but all such examples are geographic anomalies: Washington state has abundant hydropower, while the Upper Midwest has constant wind and abundant land for afford- able turbines.
If those Tallahassee elected officials and candidates supported by the “rapid transition to renewable energy” dark money groups take control of the city commission, electric rates are sure to become a major policy issue.
Matlow’s California Donors Seek Control of Tallahassee’s Electric Utility added by Staff on
View all posts by Staff →
I find this very disturbing, Matlow should move to Cali, he would fit right in.
I’m moving to Jefferson County, the Progressives are hell bent on destroying Tallahassee. There aren’t enough people with the sense god gave a rock to prevent it from happening.
So, I’ll rent my homes to the wack jobs that still want to live here at a premium. Or, I’ll sell em and wash my hands of the entire problem. I am sick and tired of feeling like we are constantly under attack by stupid people in Leon County.
@Jay I fear this dirty California money is just the start for Matlow. I think they are grooming him for Governor and that is very frightening.
Isn’t it clear now why Matlow and Porter have been against Goad? Goad has deep roots in utilities. Using dark money to get Dot elected and remove Goad to sky rocket our utility bill and keep funneling progressive money to their reelection campaigns has been the end game. The final piece is Matlow running for mayor in 2 years.
I can tell you exactly how ‘renewable’ energy will affect electric rates. If you look at City of Tallahassee electric rates, the solar rate is higher than the standard rate. Fact…look it up if you don’t believe me.