In this blog post, we examine the policies and positions of Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, the Democratic Party candidate running for election to represent Florida in the United States Senate. Also in this series, we profile Republican candidate Rick Scott.

This post is part of a series examining where 2024 candidates running for public offices in the Southeast stand on key energy and climate issues. 

Note: The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy does not support or oppose candidates or political parties. Links to reports, candidate websites, and outside sources are provided as citizen education tools.

In this blog post, we examine the policies and positions of Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, Democratic Party candidate running for election to represent Florida in the United States Senate. Also in this series, we profile Republican candidate Rick Scott. Election Day is November 5, 2024.

Debbie Mucarsel-Powell is a first-time Senate candidate running to represent Florida. She served as a United States Congresswoman from 2019-2021 representing Florida’s 26th congressional district. Mucarsel-Powell is the first South American born immigrant to serve as a member of the US Congress, having been born in Ecuador. She graduated from Pitzer College and earned a Master’s degree from Claremont Graduate University. Her prior work includes being an associate dean at Florida International University.

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

While in Congress, Mucarsel-Powell supported clean energy tax incentives for wind and solar energy, energy storage technology, energy efficiency, and modernizing the electric grid to make it more energy efficient and resilient. On her website, she says “Extreme heat continues to drive up electricity bills, but Florida has only tapped about 2% of its rooftop solar potential. Debbie will push to expand solar panel power in Florida and lower the cost of Floridians’ electricity bills.” 

Climate Change

Mucarsel-Powell’s campaign website states “Debbie knows climate change is real and she is ready to take action to address the climate crisis that is impacting Floridians, their lives, and their property.” 

While a sitting Congresswoman, Mucarsel-Powell sponsored the WISE Act which would require using a percentage of the federal Clean Water State Revolving Fund for projects to address green infrastructure, water or energy efficiency improvements or other environmentally innovative activities, designed to mitigate the impacts of climate change. She also voted in favor of the Climate Action Now Act, the purpose of which was to encourage the United States’ earnest participation in international climate change mitigation efforts. 

In an op-ed in the South Dade News Leader she wrote, “reducing carbon emissions will bring our economy into the 21st century and create sustainable, green jobs.”

Electric Transportation

While in Congress, Mucarsel-Powell supported clean energy tax incentives for electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.

Energy Equity and Energy Burden

According to Mucarsel-Powell’s website, she “would support legislation like the bipartisan REBATE Act to allow local governments to receive federal grants to carry out high-efficiency electric home rebate programs that put money back into Floridians pockets.”

High-Risk Energy: Coal, Nuclear, Oil, Gas

Mucarsel-Powell has taken the “No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge” to not accept money from fossil fuel donors. 

Voter Information

Election Day is November 5. Here are important dates and deadlines to consider, from the Florida Division of Elections:

• Deadline for county election offices to send vote-by-mail ballots to UOCAVA voters: September 21, 2024
• Deadline for county election offices to send vote-by-mail ballots to domestic voters:  September 26, 2024 – October 3, 2024
• Deadline to register to vote:  October 7, 2024 (no deadline to change party affiliation)
• Deadline to request that ballot be mailed: October 24, 2024
• Early voting period (mandatory period):  October 26 – November 2, 2024. [In addition, county supervisors of elections have the option to offer more early voting on the 5 days before the mandatory start, and/or 1 day after the mandatory end (i.e. potentially opening Oct. 21-Nov. 3 for early voting)]
• Election Day:  November 5, 2024

*Visit Vote-by-Mail and Military and Overseas Citizens Voting for information about deadlines to send a vote-by-mail ballot, to request a vote-by-mail ballot and to return vote by a mail ballot.

** Due to Hurricane Helene, Governor DeSantis has issued Executive Order 24-212 making changes to election rules for some residents of the counties most affected by Helene. Hurricane Milton may affect voting as well. Check here for the latest information.

Find additional important election information here.

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