Por Que Orlando, Pero No Miami? ... by gimleteye

Congratulations to the Sierra Club Central Florida Group, Sierra Club's Ready for 100 Campaign, and the First 50 Coalition, a broad-based alliance led by the League of Women Voters of Orange County, and many thanks to Orlando's Mayor Buddy Dyer, Sustainability Director Chris Castro, and the Orlando City Council on making this important commitment!

Orlando is the third city in Florida to commit to 100% clean, renewable energy, following St. Petersburg and Sarasota.  

If you would like to participate in this campaign and target your city for a 100 % renewable energy commitment, please contact Phil Compton, Sierra Club Florida's lead state organizer on the Ready for 100 Campaign, at phil.compton@sierraclub.org.

Regards,

Frank

Frank Jackalone Senior Organizing Manager/ Florida Chapter Director 1990 Central Avenue St. Petersburg, FL 33712 Office: 727-824-8813, x302;  Cell: 727-804-1317 www.sierraclubfloridanews.org www.facebook.com/sierraclubfl

Orlando Becomes Largest Florida City To Commit To 100% Clean and Renewable Energy

ORLANDO - The Orlando City Commission today unanimously approved a resolution establishing a goal to move Orlando to 100 percent clean and renewable energy by 2050. Orlando is now the largest city in Florida to make such a commitment and joins a growing movement of more than three dozen cities nationwide that have committed to a 100 percent clean energy future.

Council chambers were filled with elated members of the First 50 Coalition, a broad-based alliance led by the League of Women Voters of Orange County that is pushing for sustainability in Central Florida.

“Today, Orlando takes its place on the regional, state and national stage as a forward-thinking city committed to a healthier, sustainable future,” said LWVOC Co-President Carol Davis. “This is a first, important step, and we plan to continue to support and encourage the City to follow with concrete measures that solidify this commitment.”

Orlando represents the 40^th city in the United States to commit to move to 100 percent clean and renewable energy. Mayor Buddy Dyer has already championed multiple green energy initiatives, including signing the Mayors National Climate Action Agenda in the past few months. In June, Mayor Dyer signed onto the Sierra Club’s Mayors for 100% Clean Energy campaign and endorsed a vision of powering all of Orlando with 100 percent clean energy. Other Florida cities that have committed to transition to 100 percent clean and renewable energy include St. Petersburg and Sarasota.

The local NAACP branch, a key member of the First 50 Coalition, praised the City Commission’s vote. “We stand in support with the Orlando City Commission, in realizing the importance of renewable energy to it residents, by taking the necessary actions to begin the transformation,” said Beverlye Colson Neal, president of the NAACP’s local branch. “We look forward to working with the City to educate the residents of the importance and advantages of renewable energy as we move into the future.”

Sara Isaac, LWVOC’s Director of Partnerships, agreed. “We applaud the City of Orlando for looking ahead to the future and seeing that a better tomorrow is possible if we take bold action today,” Isaac said. “Orlando is a young city that is just now beginning to fully realize its possibilities. This action showcases Orlando as a potential powerhouse player on the national stage.”

Commissioners Regina Hill and Samuel Ings  listen as Sierra Club Central Florida Group leader  Marj Holt explains how 100% Clean Energy  for All will benefit the entire Orlando community.

In a letter sent to commissioners urging their support, First 50 acknowledged that Orlando has already taken significant steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, praising in particular Green Works Orlando and Smart ORL, which boosted Orlando down a path of clean-energy and sustainability.

Orlando’s vote was applauded by Phil Compton, senior organizing representative with the Sierra Club’s Ready for 100 Campaign in Florida, and a member of the First 50 Coalition.

“All across our state and our nation, cities are committing to a future powered by 100 percent clean and renewable energy for all,” Compton said. “Today, Orlando joins this growing movement of cities that are ready for 100 percent clean, renewable energy."

First 50, which includes civic, environmental, industry and faith-based organizations, believes Orlando’s progress toward sustainability will encourage other communities to follow suit. The Coalition includes the League of Women Voters of Orange County, IDEAS For Us, Organize Florida, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, FL SUN, Sierra Club’s Ready for 100, Central Florida Sierra Club, ESA Renewables, Orange Audubon Society, Climate Reality Orlando Chapter, Florida Citizens for Science, Tarflower Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, First Unitarian Church of Orlando, Florida Renewable Energy Association, Citizens' Climate Lobby - Orlando, and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.

Media Coverage of Tuesday's historic action by Orlando City Council has been extensive and is expected to continue in this weekend'sOrlando Sentinel. 

Orlando Becomes 40th City to Commit to 100% Renewable Energy

ORLANDO VOTES TO EXPAND RENEWABLE ENERGY USE GOAL

Orlando Votes Yes On 100% Renewable Energy

Orlando makes ambitious low-carbon pledge

Orlando commits to 100 percent renewable energy citywide by 2050


Video of speakers @ council meeting for 100% clean energy - there was no one opposed! 

http://www.sierraclubfloridanews.org/2017/08/orlando-becomes-largest-florida-city-to.html

Phil Compton, Senior Organizing Representative

Sierra Club's FL Healthy Air & Ready for 100 Campaigns

1990 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL 33712

(o) 727-824-8813, ext. 303      (c) 813-841-3601 

phil.compton@sierraclub.org   

They moved a mountain: a new solar mandate in South Miami, Florida ... by gimleteye

Delaney Reynolds and EOM writer, Alan Farago April 22 2017, Miami March for Science

Congratulations to the majority of South Miami city commissioners, to Mayor Philip Stoddard, and to Delaney Reynolds, the University of Miami student (incoming freshman) who proposed and passed a city ordinance requiring new construction or significant remodeling to incorporate solar energy.

Last year there were less than a dozen new homes built in the small Florida municipality, but the government mandate is a common sense measure, albeit one that stirred a backlash by the monopolistic regional electricity supplier, Florida Power and Light.

Solar in Florida, "The Sunshine State", has had a brutally difficult time taking flight compared to other states as a result of monopolistic practices by the state's large utilities. Their goal? To put solar at a cost disadvantage to consumers.

The utilities have taken a simple approach: buy off state regulators and top politicians like Florida Gov. Rick Scott and Agriculture Secretary Adam Putnam (aiming to replace Scott as Florida's next governor), and to enforce, basically, their conviction that no one gets to tell them how to run their businesses.

Meek regulators, pompom waving cheerleaders from statewide business and trade councils, and politicians in the pockets of big campaign contributors have all conspired to keep solar at an awkward disadvantage to consumers except for the bravest and most hardy.

Among those: university science professor South Miami Mayor Stoddard. Citizen Stoddard installed solar in his South Miami home many years ago. He knows to the last penny how much solar has saved his family budget. Florida Power and Light underwrote a smear campaign against Stoddard and funded his political opponents.

This is the point about the absolute power held by the state's electric utilities: so much effort, time and money is spent protecting and defending the high walls of monopolistic practices that any breach -- even 10 homes per year in the case of South Miami -- is interpreted as a dire threat. (All Florida monopolies, including Big Sugar, behave the same way: a very good reason for elected representatives not to empower monopolies.)

Successful businesses adapt and evolve or die. Instead of ruing that FPL has made such bone-headed errors -- Turkey Point nuclear's failed cooling canals in the most present and pressing example -- Floridians should celebrate South Miami's leadership and a smart, rising environmentalist, Delaney Reynolds.

Time will tell; the mountain needed to be moved, and they moved it.

Bad Behavior: The Two Faces Of FPL ... South Miami Aims To Lead Florida In Solar Adoption For New Residential Construction ... by gimleteye

Thanks to South Miami Mayor Philip Stoddard, the city commission will consider a new ordinance promoting solar power on new residential construction. FPL, naturally, wants to dictate to consumers and to prevent consumers from adopting their own choice. One commenter observed, "
I am perpetually and simultaneously amazed and yet not surprised at what lengths FP&Lies (can we borrow that one from Delaney as it is very apt?) will go to to stop people from generating their own power. ... we will continue to work to expose the lies and bad behavior ... A bit of good news is that Gov. Scott signed SB 90 into law ... another step forward having our tax policy in a much better place. That along with the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and the declining cost of solar (even better with the co-op pricing), we will all be able to move solar along. I love the solar ordinance and requiring solar in new buildings. Makes perfect sense unless of course you make profits (11 1/2% return to be precise) keeping captive customers addicted to natural gas."

FPL is a monopoly and it acts like a monopoly: attacking at every and at any point where its control of the marketplace is threatened by consumers.

Instead of constantly investing in opposition, FPL should be that friendly supplier of electricity its advertisements and marketing campaigns portray.

Did you get a robocall urging you to oppose a solar ordinance in South Miami? Many people did.  Let me explain what’s going on. South Miami is on the verge of making history, becoming the first municipality in the Sunshine State to require at least some solar energy production on new residential construction (not on existing houses).  The idea was first rolled out in four California municipalities, beginning in 2013.  The results in California have been positive: “The most transferable lesson may simply be the readiness with which Lancaster residents adapted to solar requirements, said industry officials, especially because the city is largely Republican.” [Marketplace].  Encouraged by the municipal experience, the State of California, an independent signatory to the Paris Climate Agreement, is considering making solar a statewide requirement for new construction [Greentech Media]. When South Miami first went public with a draft of our ordinance, modeled after those in California, the City received a phone call from FPL, warning us to check the Florida Statutes (which of course we already had).  No surprise FPL was anxious.  In the last election cycle, electric monopolies led by FPL and Duke energy spent $29 million to fight the development of solar energy in Florida [Tampa Bay Times]. Our ordinance took a year to develop and was approved on first reading by the City Commission.  It went on to the City’s Planning Board for further review, where, after an evening of intense exploration and discussion, the five community members who comprise the board unanimously approved the ordinance.  It will come before the Commission for second reading on Tuesday.. Hello FPL - it's hard to fool South Miami In advance of the Commission meeting, South Miami residents were bombarded with robo-calls from a lobbying firm in D.C., misleading residents with claims that the City was proposing to require solar power on existing residential construction.  One resident wrote me: “Hey, Phil!  Got a robocall from this outfit today badmouthing the City’s proposed solar ordinance.  States that it ‘will require solar on all new houses and existing houses in the city.’  FPL highjinx?” Despite all their slick ads about promoting solar energy, FPL is planning to increase our dependency on fossil fuels over the next 30 years, while providing only 1% of our power from solar by 2025 (up from their current 0.1%)  [Energy and Policy Institute].  FPL received state approval to charge their rate-payers for new gas “peaker” generators despite their parent company, NextEra Energy, stating that solar power with battery backup is now cheaper than natural gas-powered peak load generation.  FPL’s plan for Florida will charge us more money to increase our CO2 emissions!  Their plan should be outlawed, but don’t hold your breath.  Florida’s governor, cabinet, and most of the legislators receive big campaign contributions from FPL.  If we in South Miami don’t do something ourselves, nobody will. Sure, but why make solar mandatory?  South Miami made it mandatory to install large numbers of native trees and shrubs on new construction.  Good for the climate, good for the City.  Nobody complained – not even FPL which has to trim trees away from the power lines.  We require expensive protection or relocation of big trees during construction – a larger expense than solar panels.  No complaints.  The fact is, rooftop solar is a benefit to residents, not a hardship: residential solar is now cheaper than utility power.  Solar is even cheaper yet if its installed during construction, rather than as retrofit.  Financing solar on new construction is much cheaper than as a home improvement. Residents with rooftop solar save a lot of money, while helping slow climate change and sea level rise.  We do it not only for our pocketbooks, but to help the climate and make a better future for our children and our grandchildren. We are also developing a new program with non-profit partners to provide free solar and other energy efficiency upgrades for veterans, disabled persons, and low income residents.  These new programs will benefit our residents and won’t cost South Miami taxpayers a dime.  Interested in solar for your home?  Best prices are currently available through the co-op If you are interested in getting solar at these prices, the South-Central Miami-Dade solar co-op will remain open until 25 August.  Solar buying co-ops obtain group prices below the regular retail rate. Regards, Philip

If you need a slate card...you should not be voting. By Geniusofdespair

VOTE NO ON AMENDMENT 1.  DID YOU GET THAT?

This is a part of a slate card:

do not vote yes to Amendment 1 because it says it on a slate card.

Most slate cards are phony. DO NOT LOOK AT NOR VOTE FROM SLATE CARDS, I DON'T CARE WHO PRINTED IT. They even put photos of Obama on one side to lure Democrats into believing they are righteous cards. They are paid for by bad people trying to manipulate you. For the record, I don't like party official slates either. They should do away with all slates because people get too confused between real and unregulated slates.

I have reason to believe those wicked utilities are using slate cards to have you vote yes on Amendment 1.

If you read Amendment 1, it really sounds good but it is not. All the environmental groups are against it, I am against it, if you care about the future of solar energy in our State, you should be against it too.

Carl Hiaasen of the Miami Herald said about Amendment 1:

Let the scum shine.

The solar-power amendment on Florida’s ballot is a slick, oily fraud. Promoted as a way to expand solar energy and protect residents who want it, Amendment 1 would do just the opposite.

All you need to know is who’s bankrolling the massive advertising campaign: Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy, Tampa Electric Co., Gulf Power, and a few nonprofits funded heavily by Exxon Mobil and a pair of right-wing billionaire brothers named Koch.

When is the last time they all banded together to do something wonderful for the average consumer?

These are not fans of broadening our energy choices. These are politically powerful utility and oil interests seeking to restrict and monopolize the burgeoning solar industry. The last thing they want is free-market competition. The prospect worries them so much that they’ve forked out almost $22 million to push for Amendment 1.

How The GOP Practices Psychological Warfare On Its Own Voters: Florida's James Madison Institute ... by gimleteye

How Florida's Amendment 1 Blocks The Sun

On its website, the James Madison Institute, a Tallahassee-based conservative foundation, calls itself "a beacon" and “Florida’s free-market think tank”. Now that one of its senior staffers has been caught on tape fronting for a constitutional amendment that inhibits solar power unless it is funneled through Florida's large electric utilities, the James Madison Institute reveals what’s wrong with today’s GOP.

Here is the James Madison Institute's mission:

"Although we work through complicated policy issues, our approach is simple. Focus on policy, not politics – and keep our principles of limited government, personal responsibility and economic freedom front and center. Throughout the years, we’ve remained tried and true -- a constant conscience of Florida’s leaders and a champion for hardworking Floridians who have made this state what it is today. While you pursue your dreams, we work to protect them.”

Protect your dreams? The James Madison Institute has now scrubbed its website and Twitter account of any mention of the fake solar amendment like Lady McBeth compulsively washing her hands after turning her husband into a murderer.

Leaked audio offers new evidence how the James Madison Institute shilled for Florida utilities, misrepresenting the utility-funded Amendment 1 ballot initiative: not only is the constitutional amendment anti-solar, James Madison Institute boasted about its strategy.

Audio obtained by the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD) and the Energy and Policy Institute captures James Madison Institute's Vice President Sal Nuzzo explaining how JMI and other Amendment 1 backers successfully misled the public into believing it was pro-solar.

Speaking to other State Policy Network member organizations, Nuzzo, JMI's vice president of policy and director of the center said:

The point I would make, maybe the takeaway, is as you guys look at policy in your state or constitutional ballot initiatives in your state, remember this: solar polls very well. To the degree that we can use a little bit of political jiu-jitsu and take what they’re kind of pinning us on and use it to our benefit either in policy, in legislation or in constitutional referendums if that’s the direction you want to take, use the language of promoting solar, and kind of, kind of put in these protections for consumers that choose not to install rooftop."

So who exactly are the liars at the James Madison Institute, because Vice President Nuzzo was only saying what his board members knew to be true. The board of JMI is loaded with Florida utility executives.

Start with Board Chair, Allan G. Bense. 

Bense was Republican Speaker of the House from 2004 through 2006. He is now on the board of Gulf Power Company that has been eye-ball deep in James Madison Institute for many years. Bense is also chairman of the board of the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber of Commerce does not represent the interests of small businesses in Florida. It is a political heavyweight that directs enormous campaign contributions through a Russian doll network of political action committees that serve to cement the privileges of large scale enterprises in Florida. The lessons in Florida's recent political history are clear: when you see the Florida Chamber of Commerce advocating for a constitutional amendment, run for the hills. Conversely, when the Florida Chamber stands in opposition, it is because the proposed constitutional proposal bends towards the interests of voters.

The Florida Chamber is conjoined with Associated Industries of Florida, also run by GOP insiders. Both for example are regular recipients of six figure largesse by special interests like Big Sugar -- whose profits through corporate welfare have been tagged by tax advocate Grover Norquist as "cronyism in its undiluted, inexcusable majesty".

Bense is a trustee of FSU he is a board member of Foundation for Florida’s Future, the Jeb Bush think tank supporting his cratered presidential bid, and serves on the boards of both the Florida Council of 100 and Enterprise Florida, Inc. The Florida Council of 100 and Enterprise Florida are organized to advance the privileges of Florida's GOP elite.

Florida is one of five states that do not allow a property owner to have a third-party installer put solar panels on their roof and sell the power back to them.

If it sounds like the James Madison Institute is against free-markets when they level the playing field and for free-markets when they can be tipped in favor of Big Business, you would be close to understanding how the GOP practices psychological warfare against its own voters.

Amendment 1 is not just a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” to deceive Florida voters. It is embraced by the Florida think tank that advocates limited, free-market policies while cynically supporting centralized, picking-winners-and-losers by insiders.

These are the same forms of misdirection and deception that enraged Florida Republican voters who vaulted Donald Trump above two native sons favored by the political insiders at James Madison to be the next GOP presidential nominee: Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio.

Against this backdrop, it is easy for voters who are paying attention to see that the JMI claim of support for the free market and limited self-government are as fake in Florida as Amendment 1. Republican voters, in particular, ought to be outraged against a rigged system that turns bedrock conservative values into a catch-basin for special interests.

The Miami Herald reported: "According to federal tax documents, JMI has received more than $120,000 from the Charles Koch Institute and Charles Koch Foundation, and Stan Connally, the CEO of Gulf Power, sits on JMI’s board of directors. Gulf Power and its affiliates have contributed more than $2.3 million to the utility-backed amendment, which also has received funding from Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy, Tampa Electric Co., and non-profit groups primarily funded by Exxon and the Koch brothers.”

In November, voters will have a chance to deny Florida's utilities the lock and key to a solar future precisely because if the amendment passes by 60% of the popular vote, it is their lock and key.

If the GOP hopes to regain the trust of Florida voters, it will need to reform policies and practices including think tanks supporting a rigid status quo and pretending to be what they are not.

That "beacon of liberty" on the James Madison Institute website is really a false light set by reef wreckers to lure ships to be smashed, the easier for pirates to plunder and loot.

Allen G. Bense should resign from the James Madison Institute. However, he is doing what big business wants: concentrate power to deform the values, ideals and essential principles of conservative, limited government.

Republican voters have a lot to be dismayed about this election cycle, and the dismay only starts with Amendment 1.


Read more, here:

http://www.energyandpolicy.org/press-release-utility-funded-pac-caught-attempting-political-jiu-jitsu/
Sourcewatch: http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/James_Madison_Institute
Bridge Project: http://bridgeproject.com/research/koch-impacts-florida/the-james-madison-institute-has-very-deep-ties-to-the-koch-network/
New Yorker investigation into State Policy Network: http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/is-ikea-the-new-model-for-the-conservative-movement
Sourcewatch: http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/State_Policy_Network

Amendment 1 Block The Sun: Vote No ... by gimleteye

An outstanding investigative report by Mary Ellen Klas, showing the deception by Florida's electric utilities behind Amendment 1; the fake solar energy proposal by voters that should be stopped cold in its tracks. Congratulations to the Herald on this important story.

Amendment 1 Blocks The Sun: Vote NO.

ELECTIONS 2016
OCTOBER 18, 2016 5:25 PM
Insider reveals deceptive strategy behind Florida’s solar amendment
Mary Ellen Klas
Miami Herald
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/election/article109017387.html#storylink=cpy



The policy director of a think tank hired by Florida’s largest electric utilities admitted at a conference this month what opponents have claimed for months: The industry attempted to deceive voters into supporting restrictions on the expansion of solar by shrouding Amendment 1 as a pro-solar amendment.

Sal Nuzzo, a vice president at the James Madison Institute in Tallahassee, detailed the strategy used by the state’s largest utilities to create and finance Amendment 1 at the State Energy/Environment Leadership Summit in Nashville on Oct. 2.

Nuzzo called the amendment, which has received more than $21 million in utility industry financing, “an incredibly savvy maneuver” that “would completely negate anything they (pro-solar interests) would try to do either legislatively or constitutionally down the road,” according to an audio recording of the event supplied to the Herald/TimesHe offered others a recommendation: “As you guys look at policy in your state, or constitutional ballot initiatives in your state, remember this: Solar polls very well,” he said.

“To the degree that we can use a little bit of political jiu-jitsu...

Florida Voters: Amendment 1 Blocks The Sun ... NO, is the right vote ... by gimleteye

Florida's utilities supported the constitutional amendment, unique in the U.S., that requires a supermajority of 60% to change the Florida constitution by ballot referendum. Utilities were afraid that citizens could not be trusted with a simple majority the way lawmakers can. They were petrified that ballot initiatives like Florida Hometown Democracy or Fair Districts could pass, and indeed Fair Districts did pass.

One way that citizens can pay back the favor is to reject Amendment 1. It is an amendment that is designed to consolidate the authority and power of Florida's electric utilities over consumer choice. "Consumers deserve a choice," says former Republican legislator Paula Dockery. She is right.

Amendment 1 blocks the sun.


Don't be fooled by utility-backed solar Amendment 1, says Paula Dockery
Solar initiative limits choice, competition
Orlando Sentinel


Polls consistently show the overwhelming majority of Floridians have a positive view of solar energy; yet the Sunshine State lags many states in solar power.

George Cavros: Amendment 1 is the wrong one ... the pro-solar vote and pro-consumer vote is NO

Dear Friends,


You will soon be receiving mailers from Consumers for Smart Solar asking for your vote on Amendment 1. Help me me set the record straight. This amendment is not pro-solar. It is largely bankrolled by the state's power companies and groups with ties to the Koch Brothers. Florida Supreme Court Justice Barbara Pariente has described it as a "wolf in sheep's clothing." It misleads voters by promising rights that already exist while paving the way for unfair fees and discriminatory penalties on solar customers.


The state's association of solar companies - Florida Solar Energy Industries Assoc. - opposes the amendment. The League of Women Voters also opposes Amendment 1 as do a host of groups across the political spectrum. I've included a brief description below of what the Amendment does and does not do.


Please help spread this information to friends, colleagues and members. Here is a link to educational resources.


If your group would like to officially oppose Amendment 1, please let me know by return email - thanks to those that have officially opposed. Thank you in advance for everyone's efforts to educate folks. The power companies are spending big dollar amounts to misinform - let's leverage our people power resources and give them a run for their money!


Thank you, George Cavros

Three things you need to know about Amendment 1:

1.     Amendment 1 is funded by Florida’s big utilities to protect their monopoly markets and limit customer-owned solar.

2.     Amendment 1 paves the way for barriers that would penalize solar customers.

3.     Amendment 1 misleads Florida voters by promising rights and protections that Florida citizens already have

Follow the Money: Funded by Big Utilities

Amendment 1 is largely bankrolled by the big monopoly utilities, led by Florida Power and Light (FPL) and joined by Duke Energy, Tampa Electric and Gulf Power through a political committee called Consumers for Smart Solar. It’s an alliance that’s collected over $21 million – on track to be the most expensive ballot initiative in Florida’s history - to get this deceptive measure on the ballot and try to convince voters to adopt it. Why are the big utilities spending that kind of money?

Amendment 1 is entitled: Rights of Electricity Consumers Regarding Solar Energy Choice. Do Florida’s monopoly utilities really want to expand solar choice and the rights of customer-owned solar? Or are they using carefully researched wording to deceive voters? Florida voters should be skeptical. After all, the utilities profit handsomely as the sole provider of power to a large and captive customer base.  FPL made $1.65 billion dollars in profit last year.  Of course they want to continue that so it should come as no surprise that they helped write the amendment which contains language to pave the way for additional barriers to adopting customer-owned solar, thus keeping customers captive.

Solar power is poised to grow in the Sunshine State, which would allow customers to control their power bills by generating their own power and buying less from the electric utilities. FPL and the other big power companies want to maintain their monopoly control on profits from electricity sales and limit customer-owned solar.

Amendment 1 Paves the Way for Barriers

Amendment 1, if passed, will pave the way for additional barriers to customer-owned solar, such as the imposition of fees or discriminatory penalties on solar customers. Amendment 1 is strongly opposed by the Florida Solar Energy Industry Association (FLSEIA)– which filed a brief opposing the measure at the Supreme Court. They view it as a clear and present danger to customer owned solar in Florida. Let’s take a closer look at the text of Amendment 1.

                                                                                                    

Creating Financial Barriers to Customer-Owned Solar

The most concerning element of the amendment is found in the last provision, which sets the stage to weaken or eliminate the state’s net metering policy, or to impose discriminatory fees on customers that generate solar power. Amendment 1 states that, “consumers who do not choose to install solar are not required to subsidize the costs of backup power and electric grid access to those who do.” While this provision might sound like a good thing, it is actually based on misinformation and is an unsupported assumption. The ballot wording closely mirrors wording used by the utilities in filings before the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) in June 2015 arguing against “demand side” or customer owned solar.

Amendment 1 would create a permanent legal presumption in the Florida Constitution that solar customers aren’t paying their fair share of the utility’s costs by generating their own power and sending excess power back to the grid. Yet, the presumption has no factual basis in Florida. In fact, numerous reputable studies conclude that solar customers are providing a net benefit to the utility’s system – and therefore all customers – by self-generating solar power.  

Fees Matter

The large monopoly utilities are looking for ways to limit access to customer-owned solar and will use this false claim as a justification to implement unfair fees and discriminatory penalties for solar customers. Restrictions and discriminatory fees would make solar more expensive, limit the expansion of solar, and hurt consumers by denying them a cost effective way to lower power bills - particularly impacting underserved communities.

No New Rights, No Additional Consumer Protection

The first provision in the summary establishes a right under the Florida constitution for “consumers to own or lease solar equipment installed on their property to generate electricity for their own use.”  The fact is, the right to own or lease solar equipment already exists in Florida statute and in the net metering rule.

The second provision states that “state and local governments shall retain their abilities to protect consumer rights and public health, safety and welfare ….” Yet, if state and local government retain power, where is the additional protection in the amendment? Current consumer protection laws would remain in place, regardless if the amendment passes or not. 

These false promises of additional rights are simply campaign slogans designed to gain support for the Amendment and will do nothing to add to consumer protections or consumer rights in Florida.

Do Not be Mislead: Get the Facts

The stark fact is that there are only 11,626 customer-owned solar systems out of a possible 9 million. This is a fraction of 1% of electricity customers in Florida that currently have customer-owned solar. That is many times lower than customer-owned solar penetration in other less sunny states. Shouldn’t the Sunshine State be embracing a clean energy future and expanding access to the economic benefits of customer-owned solar power to more customers – including underserved communities?

Don’t be fooled. Amendment 1 will continue to move customer-owned solar out of reach for many of Florida’s families and businesses and drag state solar policy backwards. Amendment 1 Blocks the Sun.

Here's what you'll see on the ballot:

Rights of Electricity Consumers Regarding Solar Energy Choice

This amendment establishes a right under Florida's constitution for consumers to own or lease solar equipment installed on their property to generate electricity for their own use. State and local governments shall retain their abilities to protect consumer rights and public health, safety and welfare, and to ensure that consumers who do not choose to install solar are not required to subsidize the costs of backup power and electric grid access to those who do. 

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

Clear Solar Panels - This is the best invention for self-power yet, unless Amendment 1 kills its potential.

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.

FPL pays Rev. Al Sharpton to come to Miami, but his story line gets bungled on Amendment 4 because ... well ... it makes no sense! ... by gimleteye

Simple, folks: the Sunshine State has the worst record for solar power in the U.S. because Gov. Rick Scot and the Republican legislature keep it that way. That's right.

The reason is also simple. Energy slavery is a lottery played by Florida's utilities and wealthy shareholders where they win every time they play! Here is local NBC 10, reporting on a visit by Rev. Al Sharpton yesterday to speak on behalf of the energy oligarchs:

Of the 20 million people in Florida, fewer than 1 percent cut their electricity bills by having solar power. "Most of that is because we haven't had the policies and the utilities, because they want to sell electricity to people," said Stephen Smith, executive director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. "They don't want people having their own power, and have been working against local solar ownership." Enter Amendment 4 on the Florida primary ballot on Aug. 30. The language is legalese, but simply, it would allow property owners and business owners to go solar without being taxed on the equipment, as well as expand that exemption homeowners already have.

Amendment 4 will be on the August ballot and provides incentives for consumers to adopt solar. Hooray! But Rev. Al Sharpton was hired to deliver another message.

FPL paid Rev. Al Sharpton to come to diss Amendment 4. Say, what? Why would Rev. Al Sharpton support special interests whose goal is to make electricity more costly?

FPL's logic against Amendment 4 is so convoluted that even Rev. Sharpton couldn't even follow the script. Listen for yourselves.

It would be funny except for the pain watching how easily special interests recruit prominent spokespersons within minority communities to vote against their own interests.

Big Sugar oligarchs do the same: "sugar poisons but we want you to buy more of it!" Rev. Al Sharpton conquered his problem with sugar -- losing nearly 100 lbs. -- and so he ought to be helping free minorities from Florida's energy oligarchs. Power to the people! Rev. Al!

I don't know the difference, because measure ONE is meant to confuse you: All I know is VOTE 4 in August. By Geniusofdespair

SOLAR: YES FOUR, NO ONE

Florida Tax Exemptions for Renewable Energy Measure, Amendment 4 (August 2016) - We will be voting on this in August: VOTE YES. We are in favor of 4.

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S M A R T   S O L A R

This is the bad one --- on the ballot already in November. Amendment "No" One. Look at who is paying for one:

Florida Right to Solar Energy Choice Initiative, also known as Amendment 1

This was a very nasty thing to do to the citizens. They make 1 sound good - it is not.

FPL executives feel the pressure rising and try to "manipulate the flow" ... by gimleteye

It was a "feel-good" day at Florida International University for FPL and that is pretty much how the Miami Herald reported it. The kind of day that feels like a very big corporation trying to curry favor with the public after its image has been tarnished by problems at FPL Turkey Point that could quickly become the largest single water crisis in Florida.

The Miami Herald, in its report (below) slid past at least one point that deserves explanation: "An additional $660,000 five-year grant will provide 21 engineering students with a chance to study fluctuations caused by cloud cover or seasonal variations and design smart technology to manipulate the flow." Question: manipulate which flow?

If the massive problem in the cooling canals at Turkey Point demonstrate anything, it is along the lines of hubris. Back in the early 1970's, there was lots of civic skepticism -- by the very same conservation groups hammering away at FPL's dismal record, today -- that the untried, untested cooling canals would not work. Today, and over the past thirty years, the history is clear: FPL kept away from the public data and information about its growing problem.

The corporation was so confident of its ability to "manipulate the flow" of information and outcomes, suppressed data collection related to its pollution, and repeatedly pushed away and finally broke the back of state regulators who were charged to protect the public interest.

Today the corporation is facing multi-billion dollar costs to fix the broken cooling canal system that is putting the whole of the Florida Keys and much of the aquifer in south Miami-Dade at risk.

It is no surprise that the corporation's message machinery is working double-shifts to paint a rosy picture for the public and mask how poorly its "manipulation of flow" worked in the past. As a side note, the cooling canals at Turkey Point work on the principle that "dilution is the solution to pollution". That principle applies equally to criminal laws against polluters.

Another question: FPL's "$4.7 million dollar solar array" is over a parking lot. Good idea. We've asked the question before (most recently, right here!) why won't FPL allow other businesses to erect and to own solar arrays like this on the top of rooftop warehouses in the Miami Airport industrial neighborhoods? They could either buy or lease the technology from FPL and sell the excess electricity produced, back into the FPL grid. (read our archive on FPL, for more on this.)

This freedom to choose whether or not or how to participate in the solar revolution is exactly what FPL and the state's other utilities are determined to stop. FPL wants to control every aspect of energy distribution, as it does in South Florida today. We are supposed to be thankful, FPL suggests, because we have some of the lowest electric rates in the nation. But at what cost? the sceptic asks looking at Turkey Point's severe pollution trouble.

FPL's top executive, Eric Silagy, told the Herald, "... FPL supports solar, as long as it’s good for customers — and cost and reliability remain issues. Expensive rooftop panels, which gives credit to customers for the electricity they don’t use, forces poorer customers to subsidize wealthier ones who can afford systems that run more than $30,000, he said. This year, a rebate program that paid $30 million to just 1,700 residential and commercial customers ended because it failed to spur enough new solar use."

What Silagy didn't say: the solar program in Florida failed to provide clear incentives for adoption by business and consumers because the state's utilities manipulated the flow against the benefits to the public.

If there is one thing FPL does better than produce electricity, it is being disingenuous.

April 27, 2016

Is it a lab or a parking lot? FPL, FIU partner on new solar project

Highlights:

FPL’s new solar array at FIU to serve as research lab for engineers

Panels to produce 1.4 megwatts of solar power

Research will look at how to feed solar energy into the grid

FPL President and CEO Eric Silagy, adds his signature to a display solar
panel during an unveiling of a new solar array at the FIU college of engineering.

By Jenny Staletovich - jstaletovich@miamiherald.com

Engineering students at Florida International University are getting a two-fer with Florida Power & Light’s new 1.4-megawatt solar array at the university’s Sweetwater campus: covered parking and a lab.

Going Green: Coral Gables is Catching Up to South Miami and Pinecrest. By Geniusofdespair

Coral Gables Commissioner Vince Lago of Coral Gables reports he has gone solar:

I have always been cognizant that Eye on Miami has been a proponent of sustainable living which includes options like solar and other green opportunities. In that regard, I am proud to inform the Blog about the much anticipated completion of adding solar panels to my home. For years, I have recognized the advantages of using solar power for sustainable living. Now, I finally have the opportunity to enjoy all the benefits that come along with it.

By using the local financing program YGRENE, I was able to deflect the upfront costs of this project. To make matters even more convenient, recently, the City of Coral Gables passed a resolution which waives all permit fees for solar panel installations, and helps expedite the permit process. There were a few steps I took before installing the panels. First, I ensured my home was running on energy efficient appliances, LEED light fixtures and improved the insulation. At that point, my monthly energy usage was reduced to an average of $8.75 a month. Then, I sealed the deal with YGRENE, who offered immediate financing for energy efficient home improvements. In sum, I was able to install a total of thirty-eight US made Solarworld Solar panels. Ultimately, these panels will offset my electric use, and my total FPL bill should be $0. My home will even produce power for the electric car I plan to purchase later on this year.

With all of the local incentives along with a 30% ITC federal tax rebate, there has never been a better time to go solar!

As Vince goes solar (he proposed the Resolution waving the permit fees in the city) Mayor Jim Cason is concerned with sea level rise. Mayor Cason made a presentation at Empower Capable Climate Communicators on Feb. 28th. He showed the audience how Coral Gables is using Maps to plan and prepare for sea level rise. The City has had two sea level rise symposiums, supported by the entire Commission,  hosted by Commissioner Pat Keon and FIU. They are having a third one soon.

BTW, Vince Lago also proposed the Ordinance banning styrofoam that the State is rejecting. The City hasn't given up though, they recently passed a retroactive clause. Most of these green initiatives pass unanimously according to Vince.

A gold star to Coral Gables, now it is my suggestion that the City Beautiful join with the other Municipalities opposing the FPL mega power lines that will be going through Coral Gables. I am pretty sure they will be but I could be wrong.

FPL mis-steps on solar choice undermine parent NEE's bid for Hawaii Electric ... by gimleteye

"Hawaii Gov. David Ige remains opposed to the merger, saying it is not in the public’s best interest, according to published reports. One of his major concerns is whether NextEra is the best partner to ensure that Hawaii reaches its goal of generating all of its power from renewables such as wind and solar by 2045."

FPL doesn't need critics like Eye On Miami to cast shadows over the merger prospects: the company is providing fuel itself for Hawaii's doubt by spending millions of dollars in Florida to inhibit the adoption at scale of solar energy by consumers and businesses.

The battle to put a constitutional amendment on the 2016 ballot, to preserve solar choice in Florida and to protect it against attack by utilities like Florida Power and Light, is my top story of the year.

Regulators scrutinize NextEra’s $4.3 billion bid for Hawaii Electric
Posted: 4:21 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015
By Susan Salisbury - Palm Beach Post Staff Writer


Juno Beach-based NextEra Energy’s proposed $4.3 billion purchase of Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc., Hawaii’s largest electric utility, is being scrutinized during hearings before the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission.

Florida's Thieves Hell-Bent On Stealing State's Solar Future: Story of the Year ... by gimleteye

Whatever political party and candidates one favors, it is possible for all Floridians to agree that the best chance for independence in an age of climate change is diversified choice on solar power.

There is no need to review the pitiful history why the Sunshine State is a laggard in solar at the level of consumers and business. There is a need, however, to understand why the largest corporations in the state are hell-bent on preventing taxpayers from using solar power independently.

Thanks to their fear that someday citizens of Florida would wake up and take control of their energy destiny, the state's largest utilities and special interests conspired to pass a constitutional amendment requiring a supermajority vote, 60 percent, of the electorate to change the constitution (where "wise" state legislators only need 50 percent, of course).

As a result, leaving aside the presidential vote in 2016, the most important issue before Florida voters is a solar power amendment to the constitution that would ensure citizens and not large utilities will have a stable energy future in an age of climate change.

As might be expected, the forces of darkness are spending tens of millions of dollars to overwhelm the forces of light. Their aim is to confuse ALL voters in Florida with a sham amendment, Consumers for Smart Solar, and their puppets in Tallahassee -- the Rick Scott administration -- are spending loads of taxpayer money to thwart the will of taxpayers.

Remember, "Fair Districts" and "Amendment 1"? Both passed overwhelming at the ballot box by more than 60 percent of voters? Well, the goal of the black hats is to deny and obscure; to defeat the real pro-solar choice by confusing voters, qualifying their sham amendment through the Florida Supreme Court (not yet!) and collecting signatures for their sham petition.

The real grass roots effort for solar is being run by Floridians for Solar Choice.

WHAT IS THE SOLAR BALLOT INITIATIVE? A broad coalition of businesses, conservatives and environmental organizations is working to place a question on the 2016 general election ballot asking voters to decide on expanding solar choice to Florida’s families and businesses. The ballot initiative would remove a barrier that currently blocks clean, renewable solar power.

HOW DOES IT REMOVE A BARRIER TO SOLAR POWER? Florida is one of only four states that prohibit citizens from buying electricity from anyone other than a utility, along with North Carolina, Kentucky and Oklahoma (Georgia’s Governor Deal signed a third-party solar bill into law in May 2015 but this map hasn’t yet been updated to reflect that change). This prohibition limits customer choice and blocks the growth of this abundant, clean homegrown energy source. The petition, if passed, will expand solar choice by allowing all customers the option to power their homes or businesses with solar power and who provides it to them.

Get the facts here about the real choice for solar in Florida, not the sham, shady move by the utilities.

And if you want to learn the facts of who is pulling the strings of that sham, shady move, read the excellent report by the Florida Center for Investigative Reporting (FCIR).

BIG ENERGY POURS $1.9 MILLION INTO ANTI-SOLAR GROUP, November 16, 2015 By Trevor Aronson, Florida Center for Investigative Reporting

Utility companies operating in Florida have donated more than $1.9 million to the misleadingly named Consumers for Smart Solar, a political action committee set up to oppose a ballot initiative that would allow for third-party sales of rooftop solar energy.

According to a tally of campaign contributions by the Energy and Policy Institute and the Center for Media and Democracy, organizations that promote adoption of solar energy, Florida Power and Light — which provides power service to nearly half the state — has given $595,000 to the PAC. Tampa Electric Company has kicked in $556,000, Duke Energy $355,000, Gulf Power Company $380,000, and PowerSouth Energy Cooperative $30,000.