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State gears up for first energy summit

By Regan McCarthy

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-990580.mp3

Tallahassee, Fl – Florida leaders like Governor Rick Scott and State Senate President Mike Haridopolos have named energy as a big focus for the coming lawmaking session. The two have spoken about a state energy policy that would address everything from renewable energy to oil. And Regan McCarthy reports that's precisely what experts plan to discuss at Florida's first energy summit next week.

Patrick Sheehan is the Executive Director of the Office of Energy now under the Department of Agriculture. Sheehan says Florida's energy summit will give stake-holders a chance to join a conversation about energy in the state.

"It's really designed for us to start thinking about the state of Florida's energy policy today. And some people, including myself have said if you look at it, it's fairly aspirational. But can we start to define that more?"

Sheehan says he'd like to look into targets that will help the state to do things like better diversify its energy portfolio and continue its efforts to encourage renewable energy like solar energy. Registration for next week's summit in Orlando is open to the public.