Environment & Energy Independence

Protecting our environment while working towards clean energy and energy independence.

I was raised on the beaches of South Florida and the protection of our natural resources is critically important to me. Good environmental policy isn't just morally correct - it's good business for America, and especially good for Florida. It preserves the economy, creates jobs, and protects Florida’s fragile ecosystems and tourism industry.

Immediately following the BP spill, I spent six months in the Gulf of Mexico leading the efforts of Coastal Environmental Services to remove oil spilled in the BP disaster.  The spill was devastating not only to the environment, but also to the coastal communities, fishermen, restaurant owners, and hotel workers of the region.  The ripple effect was enormous and is still being felt. 

America’s environmental policy should not only be crafted to preserve our ecosystems and jobs – it should be designed to create new industries.  Green technologies and advancements that create greater efficiency will be crucial to our growth, and it is in our national interest as we begin to extricate ourselves from reliance on foreign oil and fossil fuels.