2018 FL Governor's race: on Environment

Andrew Gillum: Redirect freshwater flow, with pollution standards

Ron DeSantis (R): Clean the water; build a reservoir to redirect the flow south; seek federal funding to help. Has also criticized the sugar industry and open to more regulation of development that affects runoff.

Andrew Gillum (D): Reverse Rick Scott environmental policies that eased pollution standards; redirect freshwater flow; eliminate the political influence of the sugar industry; work with surrounding communities to deal with potential job loss.

Ron DeSantis: Deal with Red Tide: clean the water; build a reservoir

Ron DeSantis (R): Clean the water; build a reservoir to redirect the flow south; seek federal funding to help. Has also criticized the sugar industry and open to more regulation of development that affects runoff.

Andrew Gillum (D): Reverse Rick Scott environmental policies that eased pollution standards; redirect freshwater flow; eliminate the political influence of the sugar industry; work with surrounding communities to deal with potential job loss.

Ron DeSantis: Stop Lake Okeechobee discharges that caused algae crisis

DeSantis has shown concern about the algae crisis, which has blighted waterways on the Treasure Coast and southwest Florida, damaging marine life and tourism. He's met with officials and pledged to stop the discharges of polluted water from Lake Okeechobee that led to the crisis. But the water releases are done by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a federal department, to prevent the Herbert Hoover Dike from being overwhelmed. Other planks of his platform include beefing up beach restoration and restoring the Everglades.

Andrew Gillum: Properly fund Florida Forever and Everglades restorations

GILLUM: Our unique waterways are just too important to allow both pollution and inaction to run rampant. As Governor, I'll demand that Florida Forever is properly funded at its original levels, ensure that the Everglades Agricultural Area reservoir, filtration marshes, and water restoration projects are done right-- not done with big industries in mind--I'll make sure that our nutrient standards are strictly enforced, and I'll insist that our utilities commit to the energy efficiency and conservation measures that state law requires them to.

Andrew Gillum: EPA has critical role in protecting us from toxic pollution

A: Strongly Oppose--Andrew is deeply concerned with the Republicans' assault on the EPA and its critical role of protecting our children and families from toxic pollution.

Q: How do you apply that to state issues instead of the federal EPA?

A: As Governor, Andrew will take on the challenge of rebuilding Florida into a more resilient state and protecting our natural resources that make Florida the nation's number one tourist destination. Andrew will make protecting the Everglades a priority, work to keep our water clean from toxic algae blooms, and fight to protect Florida's access to clean water sources.

Andrew Gillum: EPA protects our families from corporate toxic pollution

This approach will sharply reduce toxic pollutants like carbon, mercury and sulfur dioxide. As Governor, Andrew will take on the challenge of rebuilding Florida into a more resilient state and protecting our natural resources that make Florida the nation's number one tourist destination. Andrew will make protecting the Everglades a priority, work to keep our water clean from toxic algae blooms, and fight to protect Florida's access to clean water sources.

Adam Putnam: Unravel the EPA mess; it kills jobs & increases costs