The SEIA points out that other states have attempted similar net metering policy changes, resulting in a bad deal for their residents.Īfter Nevada gutted its net metering program, it experienced a significant loss of jobs and businesses. This will lead to less energy freedom and higher utility bills in Florida.
However, if this bill is signed by DeSantis, the changes will negate much of the cost savings associated with customers’ investments in solar while making it difficult for homeowners and businesses to afford a transition to solar. Ultimately, this bill would rid Floridians of their energy choices, create new fees and taxes, and destroy jobs.Ī recent poll shows that 84% of Florida voters support net metering. It would allow utilities to charge excessive fees on over 100,000 solar customers around Florida, which effectively creates a new tax on energy. The legislation would allow utility companies to reap profits from energy generated by homeowners who have made the investment into rooftop solar. The rooftop solar industry in Florida supports more than 40,000 jobs across the state, and experience in other states, according to the SEIA, indicates that the legislation would threaten upwards of 9,000 of those jobs.īen Millar, CEO of Tampa-based solar sales, service, and installation company Sun Harvest Energy, said: The fact that there is no study or vetted data to establish the veracity of these supposed costs is just simply unbelievable to me. In the military, we have ready, aim, fire. If the war in Ukraine has taught us nothing, it is that America needs to take control of its energy. Florida state Senator Jeff Brandes (R), who isn’t running for re-election due to term limits, “criticized the measure because he said it lacked input from industry experts, data from the that showed subsidies, and evidence from FPL that it needed to raise rates because of rooftop solar.” But here’s the catch: There’s no evidence that such a subsidy exists or is burdening non-solar customers.Į&E also notes that some Republicans, which hold the majority in both houses, oppose this bill. The supporters of the bill argue that net metering causes non-solar customers to subsidize the solar customers. FPL is owned by NextEra Energy Inc., the world’s largest renewable energy developer. It is common for lobbyists to write pieces of legislation, but the story led FPL to create a website taking aim at the newspaper article. (FPL), the state’s largest electric company and a powerful player at the state Capitol. E&E News pointed out on Tuesday:ĭocuments obtained by Floodlight in conjunction with the Miami Herald and The Guardian showed the bill (HB 741/SB1024) had significant influence from Florida Power & Light Co.
The bill, which cleared the legislature after being promoted almost entirely by monopoly utilities, would put rooftop solar out of reach for most Floridians. Legislation HB 741/SB 1024 would make solar electricity more expensive by effectively ending net metering. Net metering allows residential and commercial customers who generate their own electricity from solar power to sell the electricity they aren’t using back into the grid. March 10: As the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) explains: Will the legislature override DeSantis? We’ll see. It initially passed in the House by a combined vote of 83-31, with five abstaining in the House, and 24-15 in the Senate. It takes two-thirds of the members voting in each house to override a veto in Florida. I don’t care what DeSantis’ motive is, he had the sense to pay attention to the fact that nearly 90% of the state’s population didn’t want net metering discarded, regardless of political affiliation.ĭeSantis will now sends the bill back to the House, where it will be available for consideration until the end of the current session. Solar in Florida is vital, and homeowners need this incentive to continue to adopt it. decision to veto this bill will allow our industry to continue growing and give more homeowners in our state the chance to lower their electric bills with solar.Įlectrek’s Take: This is a huge surprise, and I am happy to admit my prediction that DeSantis would sign this was wrong.
Justin Vandenbroeck, president of the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association, said: The practice reduces strain on the grid and diversifies energy sources, benefiting all energy consumers, not only those with rooftop solar. Net metering gives Floridians access to clean, affordable energy and provides an element of choice and competition in the energy market. Tyler Duvelius, director of external affairs at the Conservative Energy Network, said:
0 kommentar(er)
