Prioritizing Clean Energy
Rep. Darren Soto was the only Democrat appointed to
the Public Service Commission Nominating Board

Reducing energy costs for our families is important. Increasing the production and use of alternative energy benefits our state and will bring great rewards for Floridians in the future. The energy plan that passed this spring takes a significant step forward in moving our state to the national forefront of production and use of alternative energy.

With energy bills rising and gas hovering above $4 per gallon, our nation has begun to look towards alternative energy sources to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. The Florida Legislature takes both of these concerns seriously. We worked hard this session to encourage energy efficiency and spur the development and production of alternative and renewable energies in Florida.

HB 7135 creates a 9-member Florida Energy and Climate Commission to guide the state’s alternative energy policies and programs. The bill also authorizes the Department for Environmental Protection to adopt rules for a Cap-and-Trade Regulatory Program to address green house gas emissions from electric utilities, subject to legislative ratification and not prior to the 2010 Legislative Session. Also in the legislation that passed is a requirement that the Public Service Commission adopt goals to increase and promote cost-effective demand-side and supply-side efficiency and conservation programs and renewable energy systems.

HB 7135 adopts Climate Friendly Public Business requirements for the use of “green” products, lodging, vehicles, and fuel and creates energy standards for the construction of new state, county, municipal, school district, state university, community college, state court, and water management district buildings. Finally, the bill creates a Renewable Fuel Standard requiring that beginning on December 31, 2010, all gasoline sold in Florida contain, at a minimum, 10 percent ethanol, by volume.