All eyes are on Florida as the state prepares to pass a comprehensive energy bill and commission the country’s first ethanol pipeline in the weeks and months ahead.
The progressive energy bill, which owes much credit to the efforts of Republican Governor Charlie Crist, would make Florida a national leader in promoting clean energy. But perhaps more importantly the state could be an example for others in the region that are falling behind the rest of the county in developing clean energy initiatives.
The bill will change the way utilities in the state are regulated and authorize the creation of an emissions trading plan. The bill also would allow the Florida Public Service Commission to establish a renewable portfolio standard (RPS), requiring utilities to produce a certain percentage of renewable energy.
Also being considered in the bill are tax incentives for residential and commercial solar systems and net metering rules that would allow owners of such systems to sell excess energy to the utilities.
The bill also includes new energy efficiency standards for homes, business and state agency buildings.
Other measures include a renewable fuel standard requiring all gasoline sold in Florida to contain 10% ethanol by 2011, the creation of the Florida Energy and Climate Commission, and changes in the permitting process for nuclear power projects.
A Senate version of the bill is expected to pass this week.
Ethanol Pipeline
A gasoline pipeline running 104 miles from the Port of Tampa to Orlando is undergoing renovations to become the country’s first ethanol pipeline. If successful, it could mark the beginning of many such retrofits over the next decade.
The 16-inch pipeline owned by Kinder Morgan is expected to begin carrying ethanol by 3Q08.
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