By Gina Jordan
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-898675.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – A measure that would provide economic incentives for the development of renewable and alternative energy resources was taken up by the full House on Tuesday. Gina Jordan tells us the bill has supporters and critics on both sides of the aisle.
The measure, which was amended just last week, started its final House session with seventeen more amendments filed. Michelle Rehwinkle Vasalinda, Democrat of Tallahassee, was up first. She was asking for a 25-cent monthly surcharge on every rate payer's electric meter.
"When I was out campaigning during the heat of summer, we would come before an apartment complex and have cold air come through the cracks. We need to make sure that we are supporting efficiencies and conservation for low income housing; that we have an overall energy policy and we need to begin with solar and efficiencies and conservation that's a low hanging fruit."
The money raised from the surcharge would also have been used to keep the solar rebate program going through 2016. But none of Rehwinkle Vasalinda's four amendments made it onto the bill. Seth McKeel, Republican of Lakeland, had better luck.
"Members, with this amendment you have an opportunity to do many of the things that were just talked about in debate in the last one. Encourage renewable energy in our state, encourage solar energy in our state, encourage biomass in our state, and encourage small scale solar in our state."
His proposal, which was approved, would allow energy providers to recover some of the costs of producing or buying renewable energy. After almost an hour's worth of amendments, it was time for debate. Julio Robaina, Republican of Miami, said the bill presents great ideas at the wrong time.
"Floridians are hurting. You need to know what community you come from. And you're getting ready to mandate, because it is a mandate, so many millions of dollars again against our consumers, against our constituents, against our voters, on something that's going to benefit these industries, power industries, electric companies, whatever you may."
In exchange for using more solar and other renewable energy, the bill would enable electric utilities to raise rates up to $386 million over three years without state approval. That translates into a rate hike of about a dollar a month. Joe Gibbons, Democrat of Pembroke Park, spoke in favor, saying the renewable energy industry creates jobs for Florida.
"If they invest in a renewable, they can recover a maximum of two-percent, not a Draconian increase in anybody's bills. You may have no increase if in fact they don't invest in renewable. So if we are committed to being out in front, protecting our environment, trying to reduce costs, you know, even when times are bad you've got to make investments."
Baxter Troutman, Republican of Winter Haven, said he is almost embarrassed at how far behind Florida is compared to other states in the renewable energy production industry.
"We tell our constituents that we want to embrace renewable energies, that we want to embrace all these new technologies. But on the other hand we say in this chamber how dreadful the costs are, how dreadful this bill is. And I would tell you that in order to proceed, in order to lead, often times and in most cases, it takes bold steps."
Opponents were concerned about any increase in rates in a down economy that includes a jobless rate above 12-percent. But the House approved the measure 83-34. It now goes to the Senate.