But, as usual, the Florida Legislature wouldn't let a good program last, and they neglected to put any funds into the program this year, leaving thousands of Floridians who already installed systems and awaiting rebates in the lurch. The program would have probably died last year if the Governor and the Florida Energy Office hadn't squirreled away $10 million in Federal stimulus funds for the program.
What's really needed is a public benefits fund - a trust fund of sorts (protected better than the State operated trust fund) - that would be used to fund PV and solar thermal rebates for residents and small business installations. It could fund testing and permit streamlining efforts and more. Instead we have a push for offshore oil drilling only on hold long enough for our collective memories of the Deepwater Horizon to fade, massive subsidies for nuclear power, and legislators inserting language calling synthetic gas made from coal ash "renewable."
The following piece about the loss of the rebate program and the budding businesses that will probably be crushed by its demise appeared in the South Florida Business Journal - and NOWHERE ELSE. Thanks to our local papers for missing this story entirely. I guess they were too busy running "Earth Day" advertising from FPL as "news."
After four years of successfully spurring investment in solar energy, Florida’s solar rebate program is facing its final sunset.
The popular program, which paid homeowners up to $20,000 and businesses up to $100,000 for installing electricity-producing solar photovoltaic systems, is another victim of Florida’s budget crunch.
Read the rest at South Florida Business Journal
No comments:
Post a Comment