TALLAHASSEE – The
Florida Senate is expected to take up a wide-ranging energy bill on Wednesday
that environmental advocates say has the potential to significantly change the
state’s energy policy. Among other
things, the bill would require new buildings to be more energy efficient,
instructs the Public Service Commission to develop requirements for utilities
to generate a percentage of their electricity from renewable sources like solar
and wind power, and directs the Department of Environmental Protection to
develop regulations to limit global warming pollution and create a market for
trading carbon pollution credits.
“Governor Crist has set ambitious goals aimed at making Florida a leader in generating clean energy
and reducing global warming pollution. This energy bill gives state
officials the “green light” to start turning talk into action,” said Holly
Binns, who directs Environment Florida’s energy and climate programs.
“In order to meet the Governor’s targets while keeping electricity bills
reasonable, it is imperative that we make energy efficiency the first fuel of
choice,” said Melissa Meehan, Florida Climate Organizer for Southern
Alliance for Clean Energy. “Florida needs to remove barriers to energy
efficiency and implement robust programs to help homeowners save money and
become more efficient.”
One provision
that concerns some environmental and consumer groups would allow utilities to
recoup from their customers the cost of new transmission lines for nuclear
power plants before they are even built.
“This provision benefits utility shareholders at the expense of
consumers and their pocket books. The
Public Service Commission recently approved an application by Florida Power
& Light to expand the Turkey Point nuclear plant that will cost their
customers up to an additional six dollars each month on their electricity
bills. Energy efficiency is a cleaner, faster, cheaper way to meet our electricity needs.” said Meehan.
A similar bill has been
debated in the House Environment and Natural Resources Council for several
weeks, and the most recent version is still in bill drafting. Environmental advocates say that they are
monitoring the House bill, and plan to be actively involved in the development
of the “cap and trade” and “renewable energy portfolio standard” regulations to
ensure that Florida moves into a clean energy, low-carbon future.
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