A group of Democratic lawmakers unveiled an energy-efficiency plan this week that would reward farmers for conserving energy, assess energy efficiency in state-funded buildings, and create “floating solar” systems – among other projects.
The plan — a bill for consideration in the 2022 legislative session — is sponsored by state Sen. Tina Polsky and state Rep. Kelly Skidmore, both of Palm Beach County, with backing from Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Nikki Fried, the state’s only statewide-elected Democrat.
The sponsors describe the bill as an “aggressive, statewide climate change mitigation strategy with the goal of reducing state greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2030, 90 percent by 2050, and 100 percent by 2055.”
Greenhouse gases, emitted by burning fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas, are accumulating in the atmosphere and causing the climate to change, according to scientists worldwide.
The bill also would set new standards in support of solar installations and establish consumer protections to ensure that investments in solar are secure and fruitful, with consumer affairs being part of Commissioner Fried’s departmental responsibility.
The “floating solar” component of the bill involves installing solar panels that float atop retention pond systems, which are plentiful in Florida, thus requiring less consumption of land area.
“This bill is big and bold, but we need to go forward with it. It’s time to take serious action. Let’s put partisan politics aside and do this,” Polsky said at a press conference in Boca Raton atop a solar-paneled rooftop.
However, Republicans who control the House, Senate and governorship have for years rejected proposals to shift the state from dependence on fossil fuel to clean energy and energy-efficiency. The proposals, which gained no traction in GOP-controlled committees, included installing solar panels on public-school rooftops and helping cities and counties invest in clean-energy infrastructure. Last session, lawmakers approved spending for projects to ease the impact of flooding on cities and counties, but such projects do nothing to slow the pace of worsening climate change.
Boca Raton is among many Florida cities dealing with the consequences of the changing climate, said City Councilwoman Monica Mayotte.
“We are seeing the effects of climate change all around us, especially here in Boca,” Mayotte said. “It is well past time to move forward as a state … to ensure our state is moving in the right direction both economically and environmentally at the same time. We cannot be successful at either unless we lead on both.”
With Florida agriculture – including the state’s signature citrus industry — feeling the climate-change impacts of extreme heat, invasive crop diseases, and increasing storm damage, farmers would benefit from such programs, said Justin Dunlap, representing the United Farmers Alliance.
The Polsky-Skidmore bill would create tax credits for farms that produce renewable energy and would provide financial assistance to producers who choose to implement recommended conservation programs.
“It is really important for the agricultural community to stay innovative on their approach for the development of new agricultural entities,” Dunlap said. “It’s important for the agriculture industry to take a sustainable approach when retaining and developing new farms.”
–Laura Cassels, Florida Phoenix
You and your neighbors collectively read our articles about 25,000 times each day (that's not a typo) with up to 65,000 daily reads during emergencies like hurricanes. Flagler County residents rely on FlaglerLive for essential, bold and analytical journalism that cannot be found anywhere else. But we depend on your support. Please join our December fund drive! If you donate the cost of a scoop of ice cream, you will be helping us continue to provide comprehensive local news and honest, serious journalism for our community. If you can donate more or become a monthly donor, even better. Donations are tax deductible since FlaglerLive is a 501(c)(3) non-profit news organization. Donate by clicking anywhere in this box. Think of it as buying a scoop, in every sense of the term!
Jimbo99 says
“The “floating solar” component of the bill involves installing solar panels that float atop retention pond systems, which are plentiful in Florida, thus requiring less consumption of land area.”
The insanity of this idea & concept is a scary one. The retention ponds will be deprived of sunlight that keeps bacteria and anything else that is unhealthy to the natural environment & human beings. The solution involves fewer people overpopulating an area. FL can only sustain so many life forms from wild animals to human beings. This is not a Democrat Republican issue, it’s a human race issue. Regardless of either side, protecting a quality of life always seems to be the lie. Please show a photo of the State of FL’s versions of AOC, so we know who the nut jobs are. FPL & their spinoff ventures see every roof in FL as a solar panel opportunity. And at the end of the day, the credits won’t ever really be an appreciable amount for the homeowners as victims of that program. Really, an undetermined undisclosed credit will be applied to a monthly power bill ? Is this before or after they start raising the rates. Go sell crazy to someone else.
Mark says
Excellent!
Herbert Williams says
We are a 16 year old Florida company with 12-25 employees who has begun construction on this project: https://keukaenergy.com/company-2/ that is global, renewable, out of sight in the ocean, delivers directly to coastal utilities and is a lower cost than natural gas to produce baseload electricity(24/7). One windfarm produces 56MW/h of long duration stored energy which is more electricity than the average powerplant produces. We believe the entire world can be 100% carbon free electricity by 2050, not just the U.S.
thomas oelsner says
The use of bifacial modules allows light to pass through to the pond. Additionally, being bifacial means they are more efficient because they allow the highly reflective indirect lighting off the pond to be utilized. Having said that, l am not a fan of these types of systems.
Thomas S. Brown says
Let’s hope the bill requires a stringent, honest environmental impact statement. Solar power is not a benign cure-all. The panels don’t last forever. As they decay, they release toxic metals into the soil. Putting them on retention ponds, on its face, is an absurd idea. Retention ponds, by design, expand and contract. What happens to your solar panels when hurricanes cause the ponds to fill up and spill over?
Mark says
Does anyone know what the carbon footprint of taking a shower is?
Pogo says
@Google — it’s a thing: https://www.google.com/search?q=obvious
https://www.google.com/search?d&q=carbon+footprint+of+taking+a+shower
Pogo says
@FL’s usual suspects
https://www.google.com/search?d&q=%E2%80%9Cfloating+solar%E2%80%9D+systems
@Google — it’s a thing: https://www.google.com/search?q=obvious
https://www.google.com/search?d&q=carbon+footprint+of+taking+a+shower
Brad says
Yes we know more windmills, yah yah green new deal… Tax the Rich! I want to throw up…
charley says
you reprobates. romans1
Sherry says
A better place to add solar panels is to the rooftops of all new commercial buildings. . . along with access for maintenance.
What in the world is so terribly wrong with asking billionaires to actually “PAY” their “fair” share of taxes, just like the rest of us? There is no need to “raise” the tax “assessed”. . . just close the loopholes so that the wealthy cannot continue to get away with paying almost ZERO!
If only “throwing up” would turn on some brains and create moral fiber. . . I’d create a “go fund me” page for vomitoriums.
Sherry says
Thank you Herbert Williams. . . very interesting!
thomas oelsner says
I think you need to further explain your theory of toxic materials being released. With silicon based modules the primary material in question is silver used in soldering and it is being used less and less. For non silicon modules made by only one company (First Solar) it is cadmium. FS is required to take back all end of life product to one of their facilities for recycling. The program is funded through the module sales and money resides in a trust fund to be used for this purpose.
I could go on and on giving facts, not fiction and would be glad to engage in reality, not hype for any dialog from residential through utility scale projects.
Sherry says
@Brad. . . Now that I think of it, isn’t “throwing up” part of drug detox? Perhaps a mass vomit session would actually be quite cathartic in releasing members of the mindless trump/FOX/Facebook cult back into reality. Great idea, Brad! We miss our reasonable, thoughtful, peaceful neighbors who cared about our planet.
Ray W. says
Thank you, Sherry!
Ray W. says
I suppose that some people scoffed about airplanes when they first read about the Wright brothers. Somehow, technology improved the design and aircraft are far more capable today. What is it about necessity being the mother of invention?
We need innovation in various forms of energy production. Perhaps solar tiles, manufactured by Tesla and other companies, may be one avenue worth investigating. As manufacturing processes improve, the costs of solar tiles may decrease, making the purchase a far more attractive option for homeowners who are building a new home or replacing a roof on an existing home.
Sherry says
Thanks Ray . . . hope you got a chuckle.
BTW . . . Right On!
Billionaires investing in clean, sustainable energy . . . along with clean water. . . what a concept!