Fortunately, the new bill hasn’t actually approved the use of phosphogypsum in Florida roads. Instead, the state plans to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of using the material. But even that is causing controversy among people like Ragan Whitlock, a staff attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity, who said he has little confidence in Florida’s ability to manage a project like this.
Meanwhile, others, like Elise Bennett, director for Florida and the Caribbean at the Center for Biological Diversity, argued that the state’s lawmakers are “paving the way to a toxic legacy generations of Floridians will have to grapple with.” The state says that it “may consider any prior or ongoing studies of phosphogypsum’s road suitability in the fulfillment of this duty,” as part of its study, which must be completed by April 1, 2024.does not affect its regulations, and that any request to use it will have to be approved by the agency. Unfortunately, DeSantis may have more sway over the organization if his bid to become president is successful.