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SACE Statement on Southern Company’s Proposal to Sell Gulf Power to NextEra Energy

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On Monday, May 21 Southern Company announced it has entered into agreements to sell Gulf Power Company, Florida City Gas and the entities holding Southern Power’s interests in Plant Oleander and Plant Stanton to NextEra Energy for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $6.475 billion. NextEra is the parent company of Florida’s largest investor-owned utility Florida Power & Light (FPL).

The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy issued this statement in response:

While Southern Alliance for Clean Energy is still reviewing this deal, it raises concerns that any one monopoly utility would control such a significant percentage of Florida’s energy market. Such consolidation of control may limit competition at a time when we need more and not less.

Lastly, the Florida Legislature has never authorized the Florida Public Service Commission to review the sale of a utility as to whether it is in the best interest of consumers, so there is no protection of the public’s interests. Because there is a long history of FPL’s influence with policymakers resulting in policy outcomes not in the best interest of consumers and the environment, the impact of this proposal should be closely examined.

About Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
Founded in 1985, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy is a nonprofit organization that promotes responsible energy choices that work to address the impacts of global climate change and ensure clean, safe, and healthy communities throughout the Southeast. Learn more at cleanenergy.org.

New Report Highlights How Florida’s Big Power Companies Maintain Their Grip on State Capitol

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Political Contribution and Lobbying Dollars
Result in Policies Harmful to Consumers

A week after a 2018 electoral filing deadline, the nonpartisan government watchdog group Integrity Florida released a new report examining the influence that contributions from big power companies have on Sunshine State politics.

In 2018 Power Play Redux: Political Influence of Florida’s Top Energy Corporations, Integrity Florida reveals how Florida’s four largest investor owned utilities’ political spending to state level candidates, political parties, and political committees grew to more than $43 million in the 2014 and 2016 political cycles.  The report is posted HERE.

2018 Power Play Redux concludes that the Florida State Legislature increasingly set its agenda and policy outcomes based on the directives of large political donors rather than the public interest.

Southern Alliance for Clean Energy’s Florida Director, Susan Glickman, issued this statement about today’s report and its findings:

“Campaign and other political contributions from monopoly power companies have greatly increased in the last two election cycles while policy to advance clean energy solutions in Florida, like solar and energy efficiency, continues to lag behind. The updated Power Play report tracks this and will be a helpful reference as the upcoming primary and general election season heats up.”

A few of the key findings of this report include:

  • Major campaign donations.  Florida’s four largest energy companies contributed more than $43 million to state level candidates, political parties and political committees in the 2014 and 2016 election cycles.
  • Political spending increasing.  The energy companies spent more than twice as much in the most recent four-year period than in the previous eight-year period documented in the original 2014 Power Play report.
  • Funding for Political Committee.  The state’s four largest energy companies spent more than $20 million to advance a constitutional amendment that critics said would limit rooftop solar expansion.
  • Lobby expenditures trending upward. Utilities continue to have an outsized lobbying presence in the Florida Capitol, employing more than one lobbyist for every two legislators.
  • Trade associations used to lobby.  While the energy companies are not supposed to use customer profits to lobby, its alleged regulators are allowing them to bypass the ban by paying dues to trade associations that lobby on their behalf.

The entire report can be accessed HERE.

Additional information presented on today’s telepresser call includes these charts detailing Florida Utility Political Contributions to date in the 2018 Cycle:

About Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
Founded in 1985, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy is a nonprofit organization that promotes responsible energy choices that work to address the impacts of global climate change and ensure clean, safe, and healthy communities throughout the Southeast. Learn more at cleanenergy.org.

Power Play: Florida’s Big Power Companies Maintain Grip on State Capitol

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Political Contribution and Lobbying Dollars
Result in Policies Harmful to Consumers

Tomorrow, May 16, a new report entitled 2018 Power Play Redux: Political Influence of Florida’s Top Energy Corporations authored by Integrity Florida will reveal how Florida’s four investor owned utilities’ political spending on state level candidates, political parties, and political committees grew to more than $43 million in the 2014 and 2016 political cycles.

2018 Power Play Redux is an update of Integrity Florida’s 2014 Power Play report.The political spending highlighted in the forthcoming report continues to lead to a policy environment that negatively impact customers.  This report will be a helpful reference to reporters covering the upcoming primary and general election seasons.

A tele-press conference will be held tomorrow to discuss the report’s key findings and recommended policy options, and to provide information on contributions to date in the current 2018 election cycle.

When: Wednesday, May 16 at 11:00 ET a.m.

Who: Ben Wilcox, Integrity Florida

Susan Glickman, Florida Director, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy

George Cavros, Florida Energy Policy Attorney, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy

Where: Dial in Number – 727-258-5789 PIN: 97609

About Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
Founded in 1985, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy is a nonprofit organization that promotes responsible energy choices that work to address the impacts of global climate change and ensure clean, safe, and healthy communities throughout the Southeast. Learn more at cleanenergy.org.

Duke Energy Florida, Federal Regulators Terminate Levy Nuclear Reactor Project

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Move underscores impracticability of new reactor construction

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) announced yesterday the termination of the Combined Licenses (COL) of the proposed Duke Energy Florida (DEF) Levy nuclear reactors. The Levy project, which consisted of two Toshiba-Westinghouse AP1000 reactors, was plagued by schedule delays and skyrocketing costs before being cancelled by DEF in 2013. Yet there were significant costs borne by customers in subsequent years.

The 2017 rate case settlement agreement between DEF and other parties, including Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, approved by the Florida Public Service Commission, effectively ended any possibility that reactors would ever be built at the Levy site. Given the 2017 bankruptcy of Westinghouse, due to the massive financial losses caused by the AP1000 projects in Georgia, which has doubled in cost to nearly $28 billion, and South Carolina, which has since been cancelled, any likelihood of the Levy project reemerging was squelched. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, DEF filed a letter with the NRC on January 25, 2018 requesting that the Levy COL be terminated. The NRC granted that request yesterday.

“Southern Alliance for Clean Energy applauds Duke Energy Florida for formally terminating the licenses for the Levy site,” said Sara Barczak, Regional Advocacy Director with Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. “This move marks the continued meltdown of the nuclear construction industry after the Westinghouse bankruptcy and the abandonment of the V.C. Summer nuclear reactors in South Carolina last year. It’s time for FPL to follow suit and stop wasting customers’ money by officially cancelling the proposed reactors at their Turkey Point plant near Miami.”

Southern Alliance for Clean Energy Condemns Solar Tariffs

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President Trump yesterday rendered a long-awaited decision by imposing a 30% tariff on imported solar panels*.  This “remedy” derives from a complaint lodged by Suniva and SolarWorld seeking protection from the International Trade Commission under a rarely used provision (Section 201) of the 1974 Trade Act.
“SACE is disappointed that the President felt compelled to manipulate the solar market,” said Bryan Jacob, Solar Program Director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. “This maneuver will increase the cost of solar and slow growth in one of the most vibrant segments of the U.S. economy.”
That said, the solar market is resilient and growth will resume.  In their forthcoming Solar In the Southeast, 2017 Annual Report, SACE had previously predicted capacity of solar energy in seven southeastern states to expand from six gigawatts (6 GW) in 2017 to 10 GW by 2019 and 15 GW in 2021.
* crystalline silicon photovoltaic (CSPV) cells and modules.

FPL Customers Potentially on Hook for Over $200 Million in Environmental Clean Up Costs at Turkey Point Plant

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Customers shouldn’t pay for FPL’s legacy of negligence and deception argues SACE

Late yesterday, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) filed its brief with the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) arguing that customers should not have to pay for the clean up of an underground contamination plume created by Florida Power & Light’s (FPL) negligent operation of the cooling canals at its Turkey Point nuclear power plant for decades. FPL knew or should have known as early as 1978 that the operation of the cooling canals at the Turkey Point plant south of Miami was creating a hyper-saline plume that was polluting the Biscayne Aquifer – the drinking water resource for South Florida – but it failed to act for almost 40 years. Over 500 FPL customers have filed letters with the Commission stating that FPL customers shouldn’t have to pay for the company’s mistakes.
Moreover, the company in 2009 misled regulators, both the South Florida Water Management District and the Public Service Commission, on the magnitude of its environmental problem – the clean up is now projected to cost over $200 million. Stunningly, FPL is requesting that customers pay. SACE, Office of Public Counsel, and industrial users filed briefs in opposition to FPL’s unfair request. The Commission will consider the briefs filed yesterday by SACE and other parties in the Environmental Cost Recovery Clause docket and will render a final decision on FPL’s request on December 12, 2017.
In a related development on SACE’s Clean Water Act lawsuit on the impact of FPL’s hyper-saline contamination plume on Biscayne Bay, conservation groups, including SACE, in early August were issued an order by Magistrate Judge Alicia M. Otazo-Reyes, allowing their federal Clean Water Act lawsuit filed against FPL in July 2016 to move onto the next level. A hearing has now been scheduled for this Thursday at 10:00am by Judge Darrian P. Gayles at the Wilkie D. Ferguson United States Courthouse, 400 North Miami Avenue, Courtroom 11-1. The Plaintiffs expect an endorsement of the earlier magistrate Judge’s ruling, which would allow the Clean Water Act case to move forward and discovery to begin and to go to trial in 2018.

Tampa Electric Embraces 21st Century Technologies

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Commits to 600 MW of New Solar in Settlement Agreement

Energy Advocates Applaud Efforts to Grow Solar and Work Proactively with Stakeholders

Late Wednesday, Tampa Electric Company filed a rate settlement agreement with the Florida Public Service Commission that’s intended to significantly increase its use of solar power and provide rate certainty to customers.
The agreement will ensure more investment in large-scale solar facilities by providing for the construction of up 600 MW of additional solar facilities over the next 4 years. Tampa Electric’s commitment to solar power, relative to is size, would place it among the leading utilities in the Southeast region on solar power.
“The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) applauds Tampa Electric’s leadership on expanding solar power in the Sunshine State,” said Dr. Stephen A. Smith, executive director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. “We strongly feel that solar power is good for customers by diversifying the energy portfolio and for the environment by providing low-cost, zero-emissions energy for Florida’s families and businesses. We look forward to working with Tampa Electric as they offer more clean energy options and embrace new technologies that will make Tampa a more resilient community.”
“SACE is pleased to see Florida utilities responding to customer demand, market forces and the need for more corporate responsibility to proactivity address climate change with solar technology,” continued Dr. Smith. “SACE supports and advocates for all segments of the solar power market, residential, commercial, and utility scale to be fully functional and competitive in the Sunshine State.”

Duke Energy Florida Commits to 700 MW of New Solar in Settlement Agreement

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Energy Advocates Applaud Efforts to Work Proactively with Stakeholders

Earlier today, Duke Energy Florida (DEF) filed a rate settlement agreement with the Florida Public Service Commission resolving a number of outstanding issues and setting rates for DEF for the next four years beginning on January 1, 2018.
In addition to the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, a number of other parties have signed on to the agreement, including the Office of Public Counsel, Florida Retail Federation, Florida Industrial Power Users Group, and PCS Phosphate.
“We applaud Duke Energy Florida for working proactively with stakeholders to embrace smart technologies that are both good for consumers and the environment,” said Dr. Stephen A. Smith, executive director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. “Large scale solar, electric vehicles and battery storage demonstrate that Duke is embracing technologies for the 21st century. We welcome Duke’s willingness to work with stakeholders on data collection and any rate design changes impacting customer-owned demand side solar.”
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy is pleased with the overall direction of this agreement as it will ensure:

  1. More investment in large scale solar facilities (700 megawatts);
  2. Closer collaboration with stakeholders, like SACE, on collecting data on the economic and operational benefits of customer-owned solar and related rate design issues;
  3. A commitment to grow electric vehicle infrastructure by investing $8 million for 530 outlets in its service territory;
  4. Deploying up to 50 megawatts of battery storage to support renewable energy development;
  5. Greater deployment of smart meters and will introduce Time Of Use (TOU) rates that encourage energy efficiency and customer-owned solar, and;
  6. Customers will not have to pay any further costs related the cancelled Levy County nuclear plant.

As a party to this settlement, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy will be able to enforce many of the provisions of the agreement. A petition was filed today at the Florida Public Service Commission, along with the settlement agreement, requesting approval of the agreement by the end of this year.

Citizen groups host telepress conference

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Citizen groups host telepress conference to discuss FPL’s motion to
dismiss Clean Water Act lawsuit on Turkey Point’s polluting of Biscayne Bay

Tomorrow, on Wednesday, August 2 at 2:00 p.m. ET, advocates will hold a telepress conference to discuss their strong rejection of Florida Power & Light’s (FPL) motion to dismiss a Clean Water Act lawsuit filed last summer. Since this federal case, FPL has attempted to thwart citizens’ efforts to hold the utility accountable for their Turkey Point facility’s ongoing pollution of Biscayne Bay.
At 10 a.m. ET on August 3, 2017, FPL’s motion to dismiss will be heard in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida before Magistrate Judge Alicia M. Otazo-Reyes at the C. Clyde Atkins Courthouse, 301 North Miami Avenue. The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE), Tropical Audubon Society (TAS) and Friends of the Everglades (FOE) view FPL’s motion to dismiss as another example of the utility’s ongoing efforts to delay addressing the underlying causes of the failing cooling canal system at the Turkey Point facility, which is unlawfully polluting Biscayne Bay.
WHEN: Wednesday, August 2, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. ET
WHERE: Dial 727-258-5789 and enter PIN: 97609
SPEAKERS: Dr. Stephen A. Smith, Executive Director, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
Laura Reynolds, Consultant to the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
Erin Clancy, Conservation Director, Tropical Audubon Society
Alan Farago, Conservation Chair, Friends of the Everglades
If you are unable to attend this telepresser, SACE staff will be available for media interviews outside of the C. Clyde Atkins Courthouse at 9:15 a.m. ET on Thursday, August 3, 2017.
About Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
Founded in 1985, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy is a nonprofit organization that promotes responsible energy choices that work to address the impacts of global climate change and ensure clean, safe, and healthy communities throughout the Southeast. Learn more at www.cleanenergy.org.

Pro-Solar Amendment 4 Passes in the Sunshine State

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After SB 90 was passed by the Florida House of Representatives yesterday, the Florida Senate today concurred and passed out legislation to implement the pro-solar Amendment 4, which voters overwhelmingly approved with 73 percent of the vote on the August 2016 primary ballot.
Now SB 90 goes to Governor Scott’s desk where he can sign, veto or allow the bill to become law without his signature.
Thanks to the leadership of Senator Jeff Brandes and Representative Ray Rodrigues, the support of hundreds of businesses, solar advocates and thousands of volunteers, Floridians will enjoy lower energy costs as burdensome taxes on solar energy systems are reduced beginning January 1, 2018.
“We applaud Florida lawmakers for implementing this important constitutional amendment in the closing days of the legislative session,” said Dr. Stephen A. Smith, Executive Director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy and board member of Floridians for Solar Choice. “The importance of moving this forward cannot be overstated: with lower taxes for homeowners and businesses, solar energy development will increase allowing Floridians to lock in energy savings, create jobs, spur economic development, and bring much-needed diversity to the state’s energy mix.”
“The implementation of Amendment 4 is a win for the solar industry in Florida,” said Patrick Altier, President of Florida Solar Energy Industries Association (FlaSEIA). “Our membership of Florida solar companies has been working tirelessly in the Legislature, with solar advocates, and many other coalition partners over the past several years, fighting for good policy. Reducing burdensome taxes will lead to more solar, more local jobs, and a brighter future for our state.”
“Last year Florida voters overwhelming supported Amendment 4, and now Florida’s House and Senate have unanimously passed an implementation bill to enact that constitutional amendment expanding the economic freedom to choose solar,” said Tory Perfetti, Chair of Floridians for Solar Choice and Florida Director of Conservatives for Energy Freedom. “Supported by a historic coalition which spanned the political spectrum, reducing taxes is smart energy policy for Florida’s families and businesses.”
“The voices of Florida voters have been heard,” said Pamela Goodman, President of the League of Women Voters of Florida. “With the implementation of Amendment 4, approved by 73% of voters last August, voters have helped to shape our energy policy in a way that the Sunshine State can be proud of.”