Issue Position: Energy Independence

Issue Position

A commitment to environmental protection is a commitment to economic growth and energy independence

Florida should increase its commitment to environmental protection by enacting goals for electric utilities to produce a greater percentage of electricity from renewable sources. Forty-two states currently have either mandatory or voluntary goals. A renewable portfolio standard (RPS) and public benefit fund would create financial incentives for manufacturing and installing renewable energy systems on homes and businesses. Florida has no significant renewable energy policy and is quickly falling behind Georgia and North Carolina in the Southeast as well as New Jersey, Massachusetts and Vermont.

Allow private renewable energy companies to sell electricity directly to consumers and businesses

Known as power purchase agreements (PPA), this policy would allow a private company (other than a utility) to finance and own the on-site generating equipment and receive monthly payments for the electricity produced. Florida would eliminate upfront costs for the consumer and create greater competition in the industry. Currently in Florida, a law designed to regulate electric utilities prohibits this practice. Such laws hold back our economy. Furthermore, this practice has hindered the expansion of solar energy among retailers, as well as the military and industrial users. Owners of a mall, for example, could not install solar on the roof and sell that power to tenants. A military base with solar could not share power or experience cost savings at another nearby facility. These practices are antiquated and reform is necessary to offset Florida's annual 6.2 percent of U.S. electricity consumption.

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