Preparing for Florida’s Energy Future
Despite significant advances in technology and lowered costs, along with an abundant source of year-round sunshine, Florida continues to lag behind states such as New Jersey in the move to clean, renewable energy like solar power. Additionally, issues surrounding climate change and sea level rise pose a significant threat to Florida.
To help change the current mindset and explore the many growing options to moving Florida to a better, more economical energy grid, Senator Lori Berman (D-Lantana) will join only 25 fellow selected lawmakers by attending Colorado State University’s Center for New Energy Economy (CNEE) Clean Energy Legislative Academy tomorrow through Friday.
“It is a true honor and privilege to be one of only 25 legislators attending CELA. Renewable energy, energy consumption and solar potential are top priorities and I look forward to bringing fresh ideas home to Florida for future legislation,” stated Senator Berman.
According to CNEE, Florida ranks third in the nation for solar potential but only 12th in terms of installed PV capacity. The group will discuss strategies for state-led clean energy policy solutions. Attendees will hear from policy experts and discuss various topics such as energy storage, grid modernization, transportation, utility perspectives and bipartisan policy approaches.
Senator Berman was instrumental in getting Amendment 4 on the August 2016 ballot as a member of the Florida House. She oversaw its successful passage, voted in favor by 73 percent of Floridians. Amendment 4 was twofold: it established a tax exemption for businesses who install solar panels and it extended a tax break for residential property owners that already had solar or other renewal energy source devices installed.
About the CNEE and CELA:
The mission of the Clean Energy Legislative Academy is to assist legislators in identifying gaps in clean energy policies and developing innovative policy solutions for their state.
The Center for the New Energy Economy is an initiative founded in 2011 at Colorado State University, providing technical and strategic assistance to help decision makers create policies that facilitate America’s transition to a clean energy economy.
