Energy group wants Fla’s Legislature to address renewable energy sources

Reginald Alceus
Outlook Staff Writer

Environmental safety and alternative fuels are issues that have been at the forefront of political and media attention. Such topics have only gained credence in the aftermath of the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. As a result, the state’s very first “Clean Energy Congress” was convened at the Capitol to convince lawmakers to adopt policies dealing with efficient energy usage and legislation.

“The whole idea to come out of this Congress was to create a vision of the clean energy future and to not ask what we can’t do or put up barriers but to ask what we can do,” said Susan K. Glickman, climate and energy advocate. “What we came here for is to work on solutions so we don’t have to continue to be dependent on these dirty, dangerous fossil fuels.”

Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda (D-Tallahassee) and the Florida Business Network for a Clean Energy Economy were primarily responsible for proposing the two-day Congress at the behest of environmental advocates and business delegates. Local and state officials joined various biomass fuel producers, solar contractors and developers sympathetic to legislation for cleaner energy usage in Florida.

According to Vasilinda, many wanted lawmakers to hold a special session to put two issues on the November ballot relating to an offshore drilling ban by voters and a renewable energy portfolio. Policies dealing with forestry, water efficiency, carbon pricing and bio-mass were discussed along with electric car use, energy efficiency’s relation to tourism and education proposals.

“The renewable energy portfolio and the public benefits fund are two pieces of legislation that I think are tremendous, and they are what we need,” Vasilinda said. “They also passed on other good bills on electric cars and lots of different things to help us move forward.” Vasilinda stated the Congress would demonstrate hope for people following the oil spill in the Gulf. Such a message would assert that there is no need to drill for oil, use coal, or employ nuclear power, Vasilinda said. Instead, there must be further education on solar power, wind power, biodiesel fuels, natural gas and conservation efficiency. Many new jobs could be created from the exploration and development of renewable energies, Vasilinda said. Not only could people transition to clean energy jobs, but more employment opportunity in the field of alternative energy sources would exist.

“We’re showing leadership here and that is what the legislature ought to take note of,” Vasilinda said. “The people have spoken, and this is what they wanted. Each person out here represents thousands of people behind them that represent the same viewpoints that they do. Vasilinda stated nothing regarding renewable energy was passed by the legislature in 2009 and “precious little” was passed in 2010. She went on to say it was “a shame” that so little was done in a state that “has everything it needs to be number one in the United States in renewable energy.” The congress was necessary in that it would show the state and other leaders that the people have the will to pursue new renewable energies, she said.

“We’re bringing voices together to make it clear to the legislature that Florida needs to take action and not miss the opportunity to be a leader as the Sunshine State for generations of renewable energy and the seizure of energy efficient opportunities that exist here,” said Tom Larson, Florida Energy Policy Manager for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.

Vasilinda noted Florida’s climate can sustain crops grown for bio diesel fuel as well as the sun for solar energy and wind from off the Atlantic coast. She admitted the implementation of alternative renewable energies would take time but would eventually end dependence on inefficient fuels for good.

Rep. Alan Williams (D-Tallahassee), who serves on the Energy Utilities and Policies Committee, said the progress made will encourage innovation. He compared the efforts made by clean energy supporters to the tenacious creation of the Federal Interstate Highway. “I think you have a lot of citizens of this state that are now focusing on clean energy,” Williams said. “A lot of times, they only focus on it when gas rates go up or when the utility rates went up and so now you have an opportunity to say let’s turn this crisis into action and over the past two days, that’s what I’ve seen here.”

Reginald Alceus can be reached at realceus@capitaloutlook.com