Ron DeSantis hasn't exactly made friends with the environmental Left during his time as Florida's Governor.
But the Republican just delivered something that's making homeowners across the Sunshine State very happy.
And Ron DeSantis just handed Florida homeowners $112 million that will save them thousands of dollars.
DeSantis delivers massive environmental funding despite critics
Governor Ron DeSantis stood before reporters in Tampa this week to announce $112 million in grants for water quality and supply projects across Florida.
The funding breaks down to $50 million for alternative water supply projects, $50 million for springs restoration, and $12 million for innovative technology to combat harmful algal blooms.
Citrus County emerged as one of the biggest winners in the announcement.
The state confirmed it's pumping $4.3 million into the county's Old Homosassa septic-to-sewer eastside conversion project.¹
County Commission Chairwoman Diana Finegan attended the Tampa event and revealed the grant eliminates homeowner assessment fees entirely.
That saves residents at least $6,000 per property.²
Old Homosassa is one of Florida's oldest communities where aging septic tanks on small lots with high groundwater create serious environmental problems.
The septic systems leak nutrients that feed algal blooms and damage seagrasses critical to manatees.
Converting to centralized sewer spares homeowners the cost of replacing failing systems as water-quality regulations tighten.
DeSantis recalled visiting Citrus County as a child and stopping at the Ted Williams Hall of Fame to meet baseball legends.
"As a kid I said, 'Man, this is an unbelievable place,'" DeSantis stated. "And little did I know I'd be showering you guys with money 30 years later."³
https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1996238682370806212?s=20
The cities of Inverness and Crystal River also scored big with $1.6 million and $533,780 respectively for their own septic-to-sewer projects.
Florida's environmental spending reaches historic levels under DeSantis
Since taking office in 2019, DeSantis has invested $335 million in alternative water supply projects that will create more than 445 million gallons per day of future water supply.⁴
The state has allocated $430 million to advance 147 springs restoration projects leading to an estimated annual reduction of more than 907,000 pounds of nitrogen pollution per year.⁵
DeSantis established the Innovative Technology for Harmful Algal Blooms Grant program in 2019 and the state has now invested $75 million supporting 68 projects to date.⁶
The Governor's total environmental spending since 2019 has reached $6.5 billion for Everglades restoration and water quality improvements.⁷
That's the largest investment in Florida history even when adjusted for inflation.
DeSantis made environmental issues central to his first term as governor with promises to tackle Everglades restoration, water quality, and rising sea levels.
His approach earned him praise from some unlikely sources.
Former Florida Republican Representative Carlos Curbelo said "for a leading Republican candidate for president, he's got a hell of a record."⁸
But the Governor's environmental critics on the Left aren't satisfied.
Aliki Moncrief, executive director of Florida Conservation Voters, accused DeSantis of "greenwashing" by funding popular environmental programs while refusing to address climate change.⁹
"You can't claim to be a pro-environment governor or lawmaker if you're not doing anything to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, and he is not," Moncrief stated.¹⁰
DeSantis signed legislation earlier this year that removed most references to "climate change" from state law and banned offshore wind turbines in Florida waters.
The Governor rejected more than $350 million in federal funding for energy efficiency initiatives under Biden's Inflation Reduction Act.¹¹
His lifetime score from the League of Conservation Voters during his time in Congress was just 2%.¹²
https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1996330231586848984?s=20
DeSantis tells a different story about Florida's environmental approach.
"We have worked hard to protect our natural water resources and our freshwater supply for future generations," DeSantis said at the Tampa announcement.¹³
Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis Lambert praised the Governor's environmental record.
"Under Governor DeSantis' leadership, our decisions are driven by science and long-term stewardship," Lambert explained. "The funding announced today will help communities secure reliable water supplies, improve water quality and better respond to environmental challenges."¹⁴
The reality is DeSantis has found a way to deliver tangible environmental improvements that help real Floridians without buying into the radical Left's climate agenda.
Homeowners in Old Homosassa don't care about abstract debates over fossil fuels when they're saving six grand on sewer hookups.
That's real money staying in working families' pockets while protecting Florida's natural treasures for future generations.
DeSantis proved conservatives can champion environmental stewardship without surrendering to the green zealots who want to destroy American energy independence.
¹ Michael D. Bates, "DeSantis delivers major sewer funding for Citrus County," Citrus County Chronicle, December 3, 2025.
² Ibid.
³ Ibid.
⁴ "Governor Ron DeSantis Awards $112 Million for Water Quality and Supply Projects Statewide," Florida Department of Environmental Protection, December 3, 2025.
⁵ Ibid.
⁶ Ibid.
⁷ "Gov. DeSantis announces $1.5B more toward Everglades, water improvement projects," Florida Politics, April 24, 2024.
⁸ "DeSantis loves to talk Everglades, not climate," E&E News, November 30, 2022.
⁹ Ibid.
¹⁰ Ibid.
¹¹ "While spending billions on the environment, DeSantis blocks efforts to ease climate change," The CLEO Institute, July 9, 2025.
¹² "DeSantis loves to talk Everglades, not climate," E&E News, November 30, 2022.
¹³ Michael Costeines, "DeSantis Grants $112 Million for Water Quality Improvements to Gulf Coast, Central Florida," Florida's Voice, December 3, 2025.
¹⁴ "Governor Ron DeSantis Awards $112 Million for Water Quality and Supply Projects Statewide," Florida Department of Environmental Protection, December 3, 2025.
