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Amendment 4 to become law in the Sunshine State

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Final passage of implementation bill to reduce taxes on solar imminent

The Florida House of Representatives today joined the Florida Senate in passing implementing legislation for the pro-solar Amendment 4, which voters overwhelmingly approved with 73% of the vote on the August 2016 primary ballot.
SB 90 is now in returning messages in the Senate and final passage is expected shortly. Once the Senate takes up the House version, the bill goes to the Governor. If the Governor receives the bill while the Legislature is in session, the constitution allows a 7-day period within which to sign or veto the bill. If the Legislature adjourns before the bill is presented, then the Governor has 15 days in which to take action.
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 Stephen 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 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.”
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.

Clean Energy Advocates, Solar Businesses Urge Swift Implementation of SB 90 as Florida’s Legislature Convenes

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As the 2017 Florida Legislative Session begins tomorrow on Tuesday, March 7, clean energy advocates and solar businesses are urging elected leaders in Tallahassee to swiftly and cleanly implement Amendment 4, the solar tax abatement proposal, which passed in Florida’s August primary with 73 percent support.

An Amendment 4 implementation bill – SB 90 – was introduced in December by state Senator Jeff Brandes and has already passed two committees.

The next steps for SB 90 are hearings in the Finance and Tax Subcommittee, the Appropriations committee and then a vote before the full Senate. A companion bill in the House of Representatives is still pending, and expected to be filed by state Representative Ray Rodrigues soon.

Patrick Altier, President of FlaSEIA (a trade association representing solar photovoltaic and solar thermal contractors, installers, manufacturers, distributors, engineers, and designers) and an Ocala-based solar contractor said, “Voters across the political spectrum have demonstrated their strong support. It’s time for the Sunshine State to allow low cost solar and provide energy from a homegrown renewable fuel source to keep down energy costs.” 

“Given that the Florida legislature unanimously passed this measure last session and placed it on the ballot, we are optimistic that SB 90 will be quickly and cleanly implemented to enact the will of Florida’s voters,” said Susan Glickman, Florida Director foe the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. “We will be on the lookout for any attempts to add provisions that might hinder solar development. Our goal is to ensure continued progress and the growth of Florida’s solar market.”

FPL’s Increasingly Speculative Proposed Nuclear Reactors at Turkey Point Face Further Obstacles

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FPL’s Increasingly Speculative Proposed Nuclear Reactors at Turkey Point Face Further Obstacles as Toshiba-Westinghouse Faces Financial Meltdown

Utility, state and federal regulators should halt project, investigate

The unfolding financial meltdown of Japanese giant Toshiba, parent company of Westinghouse Electric Corp., the designer and builder of the two proposed AP1000 reactors at FPL’s Turkey Point facility, raises significant questions about the feasibility of FPL’s project and further underscores the likelihood that this project will never even begin construction. It was recently reported that Toshiba, via Westinghouse, is exiting the nuclear construction business. 

Due to a controversial early nuclear cost recovery law passed by the Florida state legislature in 2006 that shifted all the financial risk of construction activities from utility shareholders to customers, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved collection from FPL customers of over $282 million for the increasingly speculative reactor project, units 6 and 7, at Turkey Point, near Homestead, Florida. Additionally, FPL has yet to receive a combined operating license (COL) from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), which the utility applied for in 2010.

Clean energy advocacy organization, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, which has participated in proceedings before the PSC and NRC for many years, demands that FPL halt the project and that state and federal regulators cease permitting and related efforts required for the project until the full ramifications of Toshiba’s financial situation are evaluated. Below is SACE’s executive director, Dr. Stephen A. Smith’s statement: 

“FPL’s Turkey Point nuclear expansion project was questionable from the beginning and now nearly a decade later with hundreds of millions of customers’ dollars spent, there is even less likelihood that this risky, expensive project will ever materialize. Until the fallout from Toshiba-Westinghouse’s financial meltdown can be better understood, several things must happen at the state and federal levels.

The Florida PSC needs to immediately stop FPL from collecting any further charges from ratepayers for Turkey Point 6 and 7 as there is no way any additional expenses can be deemed as a prudent investment. The PSC should also begin an investigation on the ramifications of Westinghouse being out of the nuclear construction business. Any state permitting of this project for transmission lines and other needs has to stop.

The NRC should investigate as well and report to the public, state and federal agencies as to what this means for not only FPL’s proposed reactors, but any proposed AP1000 project and the delayed, over-budget four reactors under construction at Southern Company’s Plant Vogtle in Georgia and SCANA’s V.C. Summer in South Carolina.

And last, but certainly not least, FPL has to come clean and report to their customers via the PSC on the actual economic feasibility of this project, which they failed to do last year. Not one more dollar of customers’ money should be spent on this debacle. Customers will only truly be protected if FPL admits that the Turkey Point expansion project is uneconomical and stops wasting their customers’ limited financial resources.”

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.

Gulf Power customers face unprecedented fee increase

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Advocates urge Florida’s PSC to reject proposed rate hike

Gulf Power, the power utility for Northwest Florida, is requesting that the Florida Public Utilities Commission approve a $107 million rate hike.

As part of the rate hike request, Gulf Power wants to increase its fixed charge on residential customers from $18 a month to $48 a month, meaning that customers will owe the utility a hefty sum before consuming any electricity. Such a large spike in the fixed charge would severely limit customer options to reduce their own energy use and save money on their bills. 

Gulf Power’s fixed charge is already higher than any other investor owned utilities’ in Florida. The attempt by Gulf Power to restructure rates and increase the fixed charge by 155 percent on families in its service territory is unprecedented in Florida. 

“Gulf Power’s proposed increase to its monthly fixed charge is unprecedented in Florida and a regressive energy tax that unfairly targets lower income and fixed income customers,” said Dr. Stephen A. Smith, executive director of Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. “By charging customers nearly $50 before they even flip a light switch, this increase would mean that customers who are thrifty with how much power they use, or even investing in renewable energy for their homes are penalized, while the monopoly utility is allowed to increase its own profits on the backs of their customers.”   

“Gulf Power’s utility rate proposal is unfair to consumers.  It’s especially unfair to families that are making efforts to be more energy efficient, and to low-income households. Consumers should not be penalized for being conscientious with their energy use or by choosing to invest in energy efficient appliances,” said Shannon Baker-Branstetter, energy policy counsel for Consumers Union, the policy and mobilization arm of Consumer Reports. “This proposal takes away control from consumers to reduce their energy bill by reducing energy use. We strongly oppose this proposal to dramatically increase fixed electricity charges for customers.  It is inequitable, inefficient and unfair.”  

“It appears Gulf Power is attempting to create a new class system for utility users in their territory,” stated Tory Perfetti, chair of Floridians for Solar Choice and Florida Director of Conservatives for Energy Freedom. “Requesting a monthly increase resulting in a $48 per customer charge, whether you use any power or not, while specifically asking for food stamp users to be given a discount, though no other discounts for struggling citizens are being proposed, signals a ridiculous first in the World of Energy for Florida.”  

“This change will discourage solar because it raises fixed costs and disincentivizes solar investment,” said Ellen Roston, co-president of the Pensacola Bay Area League of Women Voters. “It makes it harder and slower for solar to show a return.”

“The proposed increase to Gulf Power’s monthly fixed charge is poor rate design, designed to penalize customers who use less electricity, including solar customers,” said Patrick Altier, president of Florida Solar Energy Industries Association. “As proven by numerous studies, solar energy provides many benefits to utilities and consumers alike, and those who chose to invest their hard earned money into renewable energy for their own homes should not be unfairly punished by outrageous monthly fees. In addition to providing a net benefit to both Gulf Power and its consumers, solar also creates local economic investment and jobs. Jobs that will not be there if solar customers are penalized as this proposal would do.” 

Gulf Power customers will have an opportunity to speak directly to the Florida Public Service Commission during two public hearings. Hearing locations and times:

Thursday, January 26, 2017, 6:00 pm CST
Pensacola State College
Hagler Auditorium
1000 College Blvd.
Pensacola, FL 32504 (Auditorium is at the corner of Underwood Ave. and 9th Ave.)

Friday, January 27, 2017, 10:00 am CST
FSU Panama City Campus
Holley Lecture Hall
4750 Collegiate Drive
Panama City, FL 32405