Florida Democrats say an amendment shot down by the U.S. House Rules Committee could have protected the Everglades from energy exploration.

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Weston Democrat, pushed for a change in language in the Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act (HR 3668) during Committee proceedings. That bill, filed by U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson, a North Carolina Republican, would expedite review of natural gas or liquified gas pipelines by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

Wasserman Schultz’s amendment to the bill would have excluded the Everglades and other Florida navigable waters from that change, still requiring extensive review to put a pipeline through Florida’s largest national park. However, the Rules Committee did not allow the amendment to come to a vote.

“While we spend billions to restore the Everglades, House Republicans voted to pollute it,” Wasserman Schultz posted on social media.

She said the amendment was worked on with the support of most Democrats in Florida’s congressional delegation, including U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor, Lois Frankel, Darren Soto and Frederica Wilson. Wasserman Schultz is the Democratic co-chair of the congressional delegation.

The proposed change “tried to exempt the Everglades from this dirty water bill, but House Republicans rejected it,” Wasserman Schultz said.

Republicans characterized the legislation differently, with some members from Florida.

U.S. Rep. Cory Mills, a New Smyrna Beach Republican, said he supported advancing the bill from the Committee to the floor.

“I voted to support HR 3668, the Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act, to cut red tape and speed up approvals for natural gas pipelines and LNG terminals,” he posted. “This bill puts FERC in charge of NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) reviews, sets strict timelines, improves agency coordination and strengthens pipeline security. This is how we lower energy costs and boost American energy independence.”

FERC is responsible for reviewing and issuing permits for new or expanded gas lines. The legislation, as written, would shift oversight responsibilities from state governments to the agency and eliminate the need for state certifications.

Toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” are found in nearly half of all U.S. drinking water. These harmful chemicals are linked to cancer, developmental issues, and immune system damage. They enter our water systems through industrial discharges, firefighting foams, and landfill runoff. Once present, they are nearly impossible to remove using traditional methods.

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Steve Adelstein is the Executive Chair of Eco World Water.

U.S. Sugar’s century-old steam locomotive, the Sugar Express, returned this year to roll across the Glades on its annual holiday mission.

Rebranded as the “Santa Express,” the 1920s engine made festive stops in Belle Glade, Clewiston, Moore Haven and Sebring, where thousands of toys — donated by U.S. Sugar and its employees — waited for families lined up along the tracks. Santa, Mrs. Claus and members of the U.S. Marine Corps helped hand out gifts at each stop, continuing a partnership with Toys for Tots that has become a staple of the company’s end-of-year outreach.

This year marked the fifth time U.S. Sugar teamed up with the organization to deliver presents to children in need across the region. Families who attended had the opportunity to meet Santa and take home a wrapped gift at no cost.

“We worked diligently as a team to coordinate this effort and deliver some cheer this holiday season,” said Brannan Thomas, Director of Community Relations at U.S. Sugar. “If there’s a family in need across Glades, Hendry, Highlands, Martin and Palm Beach counties, we’re here to help. That’s just who we are.”

The company says employees contributed significantly, donating toys in addition to those purchased directly by U.S. Sugar, ensuring thousands of kids received something special.

When it’s not serving as a rolling holiday workshop, the Santa Express doubles as a tourist draw — giving families a chance to ride Florida’s only operating steam locomotive on a seasonal excursion through sugar country.

The trip is getting wider notice, too: Thrillist recently named the experience among the nation’s most festive holiday train rides, noting its lights, decorations, carols, Christmas cookies and a mid-route visit from Santa.

U.S. Sugar purchased the train in 1952. It was initially launched in 1920 to travel on the Florida East Coast Railway and was used in 2020 — 100 years later — to bring a harvest to a U.S. Sugar mill. The company partnered with FMW Solutions LLC to restore the train in 2020.