Environment
One of Congressman Soto’s main priorities is protecting Florida’s environment, as he understands how important this is to many Floridians across the state who enjoy going to the beach, kayaking, hiking, and admiring marine life.
During his time in Congress, he has worked to secure billions of dollars to restore the Kissimmee River, Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, Lake Toho, Lake Conway, and others. He also secured over $500 million in funding for water supply for Orange, Osceola, and Polk counties. In addition, he helped secure $9.4 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for Indian River Lagoon restoration after the manatees experienced an unusual mortality event.
In the 117th Congress, Rep. Soto’s bipartisan bill, the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act, was passed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. The Restoring Resilient Reefs Act reauthorizes and modernizes the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, strengthens NOAA's Coral Reef program, and gives innovative new tools and resources to states, territories, and local communities.
In the current Congress, he serves on the Energy & Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Environment, where he advocates for renewable energy and electric-vehicle, hybrid, solar, and wind tax credits, among other priorities. He also serves on the Natural Resources Committee, where he works to protect clean energy, advance clean water projects, enhance conservation efforts, and more.
More information on Rep. Soto's work to support Central Florida’s environment can be found at:
More on Environment
WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 900, the Sinkhole Mapping Act, introduced by Reps. Darren Soto (D-FL-09) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12). This bipartisan legislation directs the U.S.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09) introduced the Kissimmee River Wild and Scenic River Act to direct the U.S.
KISSIMMEE, FL — This week, Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09) announced that the Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) will receive a $6.2 million investment from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) for utility infrastructure improvements to support the semiconductor manufacturing industry in Central Florida.
KISSIMMEE, FL — Today, Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09) hosted the U.S.
KISSIMMEE, FL – Last week, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael S. Regan announced that Florida will receive $275,420,000 from the recently passed Bipartisan Build Back Better Infrastructure Law to protect clean water, upgrade their aging water infrastructure, and address key challenges like lead, excess nutrients in drinking water, and per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances contamination.
KISSIMMEE, FL – Today, Congressman Darren Soto (D-FL-09) and bipartisan members of the Florida congressional delegation sent a letter to President Joe Biden and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland detailing their concerns regarding proposals by Burnett Oil Co., Inc to drill in Florida's Everglades.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Reps. Darren Soto (D-FL-09) and Vern Buchanan (R-FL-16) announced the introduced of legislation to grant manatees the highest level of federal protection available.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Darren Soto (D-FL-09) introduced the Kissimmee River Wild and Scenic River Act to direct the Secretary of Interior to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and designate segments of the Kissimmee River as a component of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System. After efforts in the 1940s to control the river's flow led to issues that destroyed habitats, Congress directed the Army Corps of Engineers to restore the river back to its original path in the 1990s.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, in a House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife hearing, Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09) spoke in support of his bill, H.R. 160, the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act of 2021. Congressman Soto introduced this bipartisan bill in January with Reps.