Say NO to Amendment 1 in November: Amendment 1 Blocks the Sun. By Geniusofdespair

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Amendment 1 Blocks the Sun Campaign

- From the League of Women Voters

Wednesday on a statewide conference call, a broad and diverse coalition of leaders presented a united front opposing a utility-backed proposal appearing on November's ballot as Amendment 1.

Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, free market advocates, solar industry reps and non-partisan advocacy groups joined together to launch a citizen-led "Vote No On 1" campaign explaining that "Amendment 1 Blocks the Sun."

In true "David and Goliath" form, this grassroots campaign must compete against the nearly $19 million contributed by utilities and their supporters to date.

Leaders from across the political spectrum explained how Amendment 1 will stifle solar power and keep Floridians captive power consumers because Amendment 1 is funded by Florida's big utilities to protect their monopoly markets and limit customer-owned solar,

Amendment 1 paves the way for barriers that would penalize solar customers, and Amendment 1 misleads Florida voters by promising rights and protections that Florida citizens already have.

In the closely divided 4-3 Supreme Court decision that approved Amendment 1 thus securing it a place on the general election ballot, Justice Barbara Pariente wrote, "Let the pro-solar energy consumers beware. Masquerading as a pro-solar energy initiative, this proposed constitutional amendment, supported by some of Florida's major investor-owned electric utility companies, actually seeks to constitutionalize the status quo. The ballot title is affirmatively misleading by its focus on 'Solar Energy Choice,' when no real choice exists for those who favor expansion of solar energy."

"Amendment 1 is a sham designed by the utilities to turn out the lights on solar in Florida," said Pamela Goodman, president of the League of Women Voters of Florida. "Florida utilities have raised a staggering $18 million dollars to place this 'citizen' amendment on the ballot. With Amendment 4 we saw the enthusiasm Florida voters have for good solar policy, and we urge voters to get the facts and not be fooled by this utility-funded attempt to put their boot on the neck of solar. Every voter who voted yes on Amendment 4 in August should vote NO in November to be consistent in their support of solar expansion in Florida."

"Amendment 1 is a cleverly-designed attempt to maintain monopoly control over Florida's energy industry. This amendment is an attempt to manipulate people into falsely believing it is currently illegal to buy or lease solar. It is deplorable that Amendment 1 proponents seek to enshrine Florida's current, non-competitive, anti-free market solar policy into the state's constitution. It is my hope that Floridians will see through this charade and vote no on Amendment 1 in November," said Tory Perfetti, Chairman, Floridians for Solar Choice.

"We believe Amendment 1, initiated by Florida's for-profit, monopoly utility companies, is intentionally deceptive and intended to trick and confuse Florida voters to make them believe they are supporting solar when, in fact, passing Amendment 1 will irreparably harm rooftop solar and limit their energy choices," said Patrick Altier, incoming President of the Florida Solar Energy Industry Association and a Florida rooftop solar contractor.