Sun Sentinel: Clean energy measure slammed for "benefiting" utilities at customers' expense

- by Julie Patel on April 26, 2010

The Florida Renewable Energy Producers Association -- made up of clean energy companies, construction companies and others -- slammed a House bill to increase the state's renewable energy production because of its costs, among other things.

The group announced Monday that it has filed to the state its intent to create a ballot initiative to create renewable energy requirements (so-called RPS standards) that would allow independent clean energy producers to compete with utilities for building renewable energy plans and selling the energy.

FREPA leaders say the competition could lower costs to utility customers -- a major issue in the legislation this year.

The measure, HB 7229, is scheduled to be considered Tuesday in the House.

The bill "transparently allows investor owned utilities to bypass the Public Service Commission review process with regard to cost while encourages self building of plants by utilities," FREPA said in a statement. The group said it would boost the state's renewable energy supply but it would be "mostly to the benefit of...utilities' bottom line while not creating a competitive market in Florida."

(Read the rest on Sun Sentinel online)

New clean energy report puts Florida a distant 13th in "clean energy leadership"

A new (free) report by Clean Edge, Inc. commissioned for the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center shows the tiny New England state second only to California in fostering a favorable environment for the development of clean energy businesses.

Florida managed to make the top 15 (the extent of the report) just barely with slightly more than half the number of identified effective policies and programs as the top ranked states - California, Massachusetts, and Oregon.

Download the report

Florida Shines in Solar Decathlon Qualifying round

The US Department of Energy announced on April 15th the finalists for the 2011 International Solar Decathlon.  Florida Universities will be prominent in the competition with five public universities chosen to go toe to toe with some of the world's best.

Florida fields the most Universities by far with Florida International University - a competitor in 2005 - again fielding a team, and Florida State University, University of Central Florida (home of the Florida Solar Energy Center), University of Florida, and University of Southern Florida comprising "Team Florida."  All of Florida's competitors are State Universities.

Congratulations to all of the teams selected for this intellectually grueling competition.

Hopefully our State Legislature will take note and get serious about a renewable energy policy.  There is clearly strong interest from our future engineers, architects, and environmental design professionals to support a renewable energy renaissance in Florida.

About the Solar Decathlon:

The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon challenges 20 collegiate teams to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are affordable, energy-efficient, and attractive. The winner of the competition is the team that best blends cost-effectiveness, consumer appeal, and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency.

The first Solar Decathlon was held in 2002; the competition has since occurred biennially in 2005, 2007, and 2009. The next event will take place in fall 2011. Open to the public free of charge, the event takes place on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Visitors can tour the houses and learn how energy-saving features can help them save money today.

For more on the 2011 competition and to check out the prototype houses each team submitted for the competition, visit the announcement on the DOE website: solardecathlon.gov

Miami Herald: Concern raised over nuclear waste storage at Turkey Point

Nuclear regulators are questioning spent-fuel issues at Turkey Point as FLorida Power & Light squeezes more waste into holding pools.

BY JOHN DORSCHNER
jdorschner@MiamiHerald.com


The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has called a special meeting next week to discuss three apparent violations involving a spent-fuel pool at Turkey Point -- a critical issue as the long-held plans for storing waste in Nevada have collapsed.

Technically, the meeting in Atlanta on Wednesday involves the degradation of ``a neutron-absorbing material called Boraflex in the Unit 3 spent-fuel pool.''

Used nuclear fuel has been building up at Turkey Point for the 35 years of its operation.

The degradation involves systems intended to cram more spent fuel into the pools, according to Lawrence King, a former NRC inspector.

More than two million pounds of waste now sit at the South Miami-Dade site in pools of water -- although Florida Power & Light spokesman Michael Waldron says it's more accurate to think of the spent rods as occupying a 16-foot cube if bunched together

Read more: miamiherald.com

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From Florida Today: Job-killing mistake; Legislature's failure on farsighted energy policy hurting Florida's future

State lawmakers are halfway through a legislative session they say is all about creating jobs.  But when it comes to passing a comprehensive energy policy to make Florida a major player in renewable energy, they’re failing miserably.  That’s a job-killing mistake that’s preventing the creation of new businesses and industries, and Florida will pay a steep economic price unless they change course.  It’s particularly harmful to the Space Coast, where 9,000 NASA workers at Kennedy Space Center may lose their jobs with the shuttle fleet’s retirement and cancellation of the Constellation moon program.  Their high-technology skills make them a perfect fit for the solar, biomass, wind and other renewable industries taking root, an industry that grew three times faster than the U.S. economy in 2007.

There’s also a local foothold:

Florida Power & Light’s new $78.9 million solar power project on 60 acres of old citrus field south of the KSC Visitor Complex. It’s one of three solar plants the company is building in Florida and has already created 100 jobs.

Lawmakers block action

But Republican lawmakers consumed with wrong-headed moves to open the state’s coasts to oil drilling, or who contend that state government shouldn’t take a major role in building a renewable energy market, are blocking action.

That’s sending businesses to other states and nations at a time when Florida — with a 12.2 percent unemployment rate, a 35-year high — should be pulling out the stops to plug in.

For example, eight renewable energy companies that have expressed an interest in Brevard County say they won’t come unless the state moves forward, says Lynda Weatherman, CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast.

Another casualty is a FPL proposal to build a much larger, 100-megawatt solar plant at KSC.

That could bring 1,000 temporary construction jobs and 50 long-term science and engineering jobs here. The facility also could become a hub to attract companies that manufacture solar components.

more on Florida Today (highly recommend the read)