March 2026 Newsletter

This Month with Our Team:

Resilience City Expo | Miami, FL

Kim Ross, Co-Executive Director and Co-Founder of ReThink Energy Florida, served as a keynote speaker at the Resilient City Expo 2026 in Miami.

Her presentation, “Ensuring the Resilience of Our Most Vulnerable Communities,” highlighted lessons learned and success stories from ReThink’s work across Florida, as well as a resource database connecting residents with programs that support resilience and energy improvements statewide.

Kim also participated in the roundtable discussion, “Beyond Outage: Ensuring Continuity, Equity and Sustainability in Water and Energy Utilities,” where leaders explored how communities can strengthen essential systems in the face of growing climate challenges.

Through conversations like these, ReThink continues to share how community-centered programs can strengthen resilience and reduce energy burden for communities across the state.

Climate Correction Conference | Orlando, FL

Last week, ReThink Energy Florida attended the Climate Correction Conference 2026 hosted by the VoLo Foundation in Orlando. Chloe McKenna, Development and Communications Director, represented the organization, connecting with partners from across the state, learning about nature-based climate solutions, and sharing ReThink’s work advancing energy equity in Florida.

During the conference, ReThink hosted a session highlighting the organization’s Sustainable Energy Equity Deployment (SEED) Program in Tallahassee. The session explored:

• Key insights and lessons learned from SEED’s work with low- and moderate-income neighborhoods
• How ReThink addresses energy burden among both renters and homeowners in historically marginalized communities
• The Florida Resilient and Energy-Smart Homes (FRESH) Database, a comprehensive resource helping Florida residents and business owners navigate energy-saving programs available across the state

Legislative Session Update

The 2026 Florida legislative session ended on Friday, March 13th without the legislature having passed a state budget, which is the primary constitutional purpose of the legislative session. They also failed to pass meaningful utility regulation and energy affordability reforms, as well as life-saving protections against utility shutoffs during extreme heat and other emergencies.

With the governor on-board, the legislature did manage to cobble together a vaguely written “Net-Zero Ban” that takes away local control from the cities who attempt to curb the worst effects of pollution on climate. Net-Zero policies are popular, widely supported policies that local governments implement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through a series of targeted goals ideally resulting in a net-zero amount of locally produced pollution from fossil fuel combustion.The Net-Zero Ban made it through a complicated series of procedural hurdles, but where there is a will, there is a way, and the bill is heading to the governor for his signature.

The governor and many House members are terming out this year, and voters will decide in November what they want Florida’s energy future to look like. We’ll be asking candidates to tell us their solutions to energy affordability, sea-level rise, utility shutoffs, heat illness protection, and all the issues that stem from the legislature’s hesitation to implement clean renewable energy for all Floridians. And we’ll be working with 2027’s legislature and new governor to file and pass responsible legislation that protects Floridians and makes basic necessities like keeping the lights on affordable.  

On Thursday, March 19th at 10am ET, Reclaiming Florida’s Future will hold our virtual Legislative Session Debrief. We’ll discuss these issues and more, and we’d love it if you could tell us about your experiences with the Florida legislature this legislative session too!

Team Updates:

Welcome Our New Education Director!

ReThink Energy is happy to welcome Tiffany Torres to the ReThink Energy Florida family as Education Director!

Tiffany brings more than 15 years of experience in youth development, program management, and community-based environmental education, including roles with Florida Agriculture in the Classroom, the University of Florida IFAS Extension, and the National Farm to School Network. Her work has focused on experiential, hands-on learning in school garden settings across the country, along with innovative professional development that helps educators and youth build meaningful connections to nature, themselves, and each other.

Tiffany is excited to expand ReThink’s education programs and inspire youth and adults across Florida to explore clean energy solutions that support healthy, resilient, and equitable communities.

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer with the Education Team, contact tiffany@rethinkenergyflorida.org. 

Thank you, Stella!

As we welcome a new team member, we are also saying goodbye to another.

Our Associate Director of Campaigns, Stella Nunes, is moving into the next chapter of her professional career and is headed to law school!

Stella has supported building a clean energy future by leading coalition work through the Reclaiming Florida’s Future Year-Round program, developing the Florida Resilient and Energy-Smart Homes (FRESH) database, empowering Floridians to advocate for effective energy policies, and facilitating ReThink’s Energy Camp as a counselor and curriculum lead… just to name a few. Her work over the last 2 years at REF speaks to her dedication and abilities. We can’t wait to see what you will accomplish in the future. Thank you, Stella!

Save the Date: Fundraising Breakfast

Join us for Rethink’s annual fundraiser breakfast! More details to come.

When: June 6, 2026 from 10-11:30am

Where: Sanders Hall at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church | Tallahassee, FL

Save the Date: Energy Ball

ReThink Energy Florida’s annual Energy Ball is our favorite night of the year — a celebration of community, progress, and the growing clean energy movement here in Florida.

This special evening brings together our community of supporters, local leaders, environmental and sustainability advocates, and more for an evening of great food, live entertainment, a silent auction, and meaningful conversations.

When: October 8, 2026 from 6-9pm

Where: Carriage House at GoodwoodMuseum and Gardens | Tallahassee, FL

Want to help sponsor this year’s Energy Ball? Contact admin@rethinkenergyflorida.org

Become a Member of the Circle of 15

The Circle of 15 is a community of supporters who believe in building a sustainable clean energy future and meaningful climate action for our state.

With a monthly contribution of $15, members provide sustaining support that allows ReThink to plan ahead, respond to emerging challenges, and invest in long-term climate and community solutions across Florida.

Together, the Circle of 15 helps ensure our work remains community-centered, responsive, and resilient.

Continue your support for ReThink Energy Florida:

Follow our socials using the links below to stay up to date on volunteer opportunities, events, our programs, and more!