“genCLEO Action is proud to endorse Annette Taddeo as a climate champion because we know she will stand up to (the) state’s largest polluters while advocating for more clean energy and the protection of our natural resources.”
“It gave me the resources to meet the people I need to meet outside the School of the Environment, and it gave me the confidence, academically, to feel like I was capable of taking those positions,” Shenefelt said. “The most meaningful part was becoming president of genCLEO, because that is where I achieved the most hands-on environmental policy work.”
You cannot make change by complaining and dwelling on the situation; calling, emailing or coming in person to see your legislators is the only way for your voice to be heard and for real change to happen.
"Students like myself are especially vulnerable to the effects of redistricting. College campuses are often targeted in district splitting, meaning the collective vote is divided among congressional precincts and other electoral districts. This weakens our political power."
The group cited a report from The CLEO Institute published last month. The report found Tampa Electric’s CEO made $2.4 million in 2024, Duke Energy’s CEO made $6.3 million, and Florida Power & Light’s CEO made $11.4 million.
According to a report released last month by The CLEO Institute, in 2024 the CEO of Tampa Electric made $2.4 million; Duke’s CEO made $6.3 million; and FPL’s CEO made $11.4 million. Furthermore, the report showed that customers of Tampa Electric, Duke Energy, and Florida Power & Light paid 3 of the 10 highest bills in the country last year.
“For genCLEO, last semester we only used aluminum cups, which is already infinitely better ‘cause you can just recycle them,” [Gutierrez] said. “Even though it might be pricier, it’s just benefiting a larger whole.”
For decades, residents could set policy on power, water and environmental goals through their elected city commission. Now, an authority board has not only stripped the city commission of its jobs, but also community members of their rights.
The concerns about hyperscale data centers have grown substantially around the country over the past year, as they consume enormous amounts of electricity and water. A conventional data center consumes as much electricity as 10,000 to 25,000 households, according to the International Energy Agency.
“We really are facing an affordability crisis in the state of Florida, and I think young people are feeling it across the board,” Montealegre said. “We definitely need to push for accountability when it comes to energy costs.”
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