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TALLAHASSEE – Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP) Secretary Colleen M. Castille today submitted to
Governor Jeb Bush recommendations for a new
comprehensive statewide energy plan. Florida’s Energy
Plan addresses the state’s current and future energy
needs and outlines proposals for reducing regulatory
barriers, diversifying energy sources, encouraging
conservation and providing economic incentives to
develop alternative energy technology.
“Across the nation, the demand for energy and
transportation fuel is outpacing supply. Florida must
act now to protect the state’s growing economy and
quality of life and to overcome the vulnerabilities
highlighted by the hurricanes over the last two years,”
said Secretary Castille. “Florida’s Energy Plan provides
a foundation for securing and diversifying our energy
sources and represents a practical and comprehensive
step to meet the challenges ahead.”
With more than 17 million citizens and nearly 1,000
new residents arriving daily, electricity consumption is
expected to increase by close to 30 percent over the
next decade. In addition, the demand for motor vehicle
transportation fuel, which currently tops 28 million
gallons per day, is expected to grow to more than 32
million gallons per day over the next ten years. The
unprecedented hurricanes of 2004 and 2005 demonstrated
Florida’s reliance on imported petroleum products and
vulnerability to interruptions in energy production,
supply and delivery.
By evaluating Florida’s current and future energy
supply and demand, the Department developed a suite of
recommendations built on the principles of conservation
and efficiency, which provide the basis for a
far-reaching energy strategy. Recommendations in
Florida’s Energy Plan include:
Electric Power Generation
Diversity
Amend the Power Plant Siting Act and the Transmission
Line Siting Act to reduce regulatory barriers,
streamline permitting and reduce processing time, while
maintaining opportunities for public input and
protecting the environment. - Amend Chapter 403.519, Florida Statutes, to allow the
Florida Public Service Commission to consider fuel
diversity and fuel reliability as factors when
determining the need for new electric generation.
Conservation
- Expedite state performance contracting with Energy
Service Companies, which could save Florida taxpayers
more than $1 million each year.
- Require all new State government buildings to meet
the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in
Environmental Design standards. Minimal increases in
upfront costs of two percent or less to support green
design will result in life cycle savings of 20 percent
of total construction costs -- more than ten times the
initial investment.
Economic Incentives
- Provide consumer and corporate rebates to encourage
investments in solar technologies and ENERGY STAR
appliances. The typical household spends $1,500 a year
on energy bills. With ENERGY STAR, Florida’s residents
could save up to 30 percent or more than $450 per year.
- Provide grant funding for renewable energy research
and demonstration projects.
Transportation Fuels
Diversity
- Improve petroleum supply and distribution
mechanisms into and within Florida. Expedite all State
permits required to create redundancy and increase
capacity.
- Before the 2006 hurricane season, register 10
percent of retail fueling stations in a generator
sharing program to facilitate temporary power
restoration and fuel availability in storm impacted
areas.
Conservation
- Foster state-local partnerships to encourage
well-designed transportation and transit systems between
established communities and within new community
developments
Economic Incentives
- Provide corporate sales and income tax incentives
to encourage the production of clean fuels in Florida
and for pollution-free hydrogen fuel cells, vehicles and
fueling infrastructure.
- Provide grant funding for applied research and
demonstration projects associated with the development
and implementation of alternative fuel vehicles and
other emerging technologies.
“Florida’s Energy Plan charts a course toward energy
security through diversification and conservation,” said
DEP Deputy Secretary for Regulatory Programs and Energy
Mike Sole. “By reducing regulatory barriers and offering
economic incentives, Florida can expand its energy
portfolio, reduce reliance on imported oil and shape new
technologies.”
In developing its proposals, the Department adopted
two guiding principles: reliance on markets and no new
taxes. Instead of mandates, recommendations rely on the
power of the marketplace, using targeted incentives and
government’s purchasing power to stimulate the free
market.
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. On December 14th, 2005, the Department hosted the
2005 Florida Energy Forum, bringing together energy
experts and business, industry and environmental leaders
to share their insight and expertise on Florida’s
current and future energy demands.
For more information or a copy of the plan, visit
www.FloridaEnergy.org.
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2010 State of Florida