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TALLAHASSEE – Governor Jeb Bush today joined energy
experts from across the nation for a symposium to help
guide Florida’s future energy plan. Convened by the
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the 2005
Florida Energy Forum hosted industry leaders, utility
authorities, experts in the field of renewable energy
sources and state and local elected officials to address
the state’s current and future energy supply and demand.
The 2005 Florida Energy Forum will play an important
role in the development of a long-term, comprehensive
energy strategy.
“Reducing barriers and encouraging the
diversification of the State’s energy supply will ensure
greater energy and economic security for Florida,” said
Governor Bush. “Florida is leading the nation to
discover, test and adopt advanced energy technologies.”
According to a 2001 study by the United States Energy
Information Administration, Florida ranks 45th
nationally in the amount of energy consumed
and third in total energy consumption. Florida uses 8.6
billion gallons of gasoline per year, with consumption
growing by 300 million gallons per year, and less than
one-tenth of one percent of Floridians own automobiles
that use alternative fuels. In addition, the State’s
need for electrical generation is expected to grow by
approximately 58 percent between 2002 and 2020.
“We are committed to finding innovative solutions to
address the state’s growing energy needs,” said DEP
Secretary Colleen M. Castille. “An adequate, reliable,
diverse, efficient and affordable energy supply, coupled
with a long-term commitment to energy conservation, is
vital for maintaining Florida’s growing economy and
quality of life.”
Participants in the forum discussed a host of energy
related issues, including:
- The State’s current energy situation and future
energy needs for electrical power generation, including
the next steps to expand the fuels utilized to generate
electricity in Florida.
- How to diversify electric generation to assure
reliable and secure power throughout Florida while
achieving price stability and a healthy environment.
- The roles of industry, the consumer and the State in
establishing the electric generation portfolio, and the
regulatory and economic barriers for constructing new
electric generation plants and transmission.
- Florida’s
current and future fuel supply needs, including how
recent hurricanes affected fuel availability and actions
that can be taken to ensure an adequate fuel supply.
- How renewable resources can be utilized to increase
energy diversity, and how our ability to generate, store
and distribute fuels will impact consumer costs of
gasoline, diesel fuel, ethanol, biodiesel and other
fuels.
- Energy conservation and efficiency strategies,
including the development and implementation of
long-term conservation initiatives by the State,
industry and consumers.
- How to encourage energy
efficiency through community design, building
construction and consumer behavior.
On November 10, 2005, Governor Bush signed Executive
Order 05-241, directing the State of Florida, through
DEP, to develop a statewide energy plan by January 17,
2006. Today’s discussions with industry leaders and
energy experts will aid in the creation of that
strategy.
For more information, visit
www.FloridaEnergy.org. | 
