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TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of
Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida Energy Office (FEO)
was awarded more than $220,000 from the U.S. Department
of Energy (DOE). The grant, provided by DOE’s Building
Technologies Program within the Office of Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy, will be used to further
energy conservation measures throughout Florida.
“The Florida Energy Office continues to implement
innovative projects to promote energy conservation
throughout the state,” said DEP Secretary Colleen M.
Castille. “By securing federal funding, Florida can
further its energy initiatives to use less energy and
fuel economic growth.”
With the grant, the FEO will develop the Automated
Energy Code Compliance System, a program proposed by the
University of Central Florida’s Florida Solar Energy
Center. The system is a building standards database that
will allow designers and builders to access
energy-saving building requirements and submit
applications for approval. The system streamlines the
authorization process and allows continuous updates to
enforcements.
“The Automated Energy Code Compliance System will
allow Florida to become a leader in the industry,
providing a working example of how modern technology can
complement and improve energy conservation,” said FEO
Director Allan Guyet. “By providing instant access to
information and compliance resources, Florida’s building
industry can more efficiently implement energy
conservation efficiency measures.”
The U.S. Department of Energy is providing $6 million
to expand 22 federal-state partnerships to increase
energy conservation in residential and commercial
buildings. The funds assist in the implementation of
training programs, provide technical assistance, further
education efforts and promote construction of
energy-efficient buildings.
Spearheaded by Governor Jeb Bush and passed by the
Florida Legislature, the 2006 Florida Energy Act takes
the first comprehensive step toward a diverse, reliable
and secure energy future by reducing regulatory barriers
to expedite electric generation capacity and providing
rebates, grants and tax incentives to drive the
development of alternative fuel technologies.
The FEO is the state’s primary center for energy
policy under Governor Bush. In addition to developing
and implementing Florida’s energy policy, the Energy
Office coordinates all federal energy programs delegated
to the state, including energy supply, demand,
conservation and allocation.
For more information or a copy of Florida’s Energy
Plan, visit
www.FloridaEnergy.org. | 
2010 State of Florida