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Utilities Energize 'Consumers For Smart Solar'

Torrents of cash continue to flood in for a controversial solar ballot initiative.

The group behind the measure, Consumers for Smart Solar, reports raising $8.5 million in April. Some of the largest single contributors are Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy, Tampa Electric Company and Gulf Power.

The measure would etch the existing right to own and use solar power equipment into the Constitution, and ensure regular utility customers don’t quote, “subsidize” backup power for solar customers.

Critics insist the subsidy reference endangers net-metering for solar customers and could expose them to special fees.

A Miami native, former WFSU reporter Jim Ash is an award-winning journalist with more than 20 years of experience, most of it in print. He has been a member of the Florida Capital Press Corps since 1992.