Rally for Renewables – Get out there and pitch a F.I.T.!

Fellow Floridians,                                 June 17, 2009

There has never been a better opportunity  to show your support for job creation, energy independence and renewables.   Florida Power & Light is increasing electricity rates and by law YOUR Florida Public Service Commission hears general statements from the public – YOU!  Don't let this opportunity to show these hard working commissioners that we the people need a Feed In Tariff and a Renewable Portfolio Standard passed during the next legislative session.  Your representatives are back home now reading the papers and listening to their constituents.  Let your local media know that your group plans on attending the rally for job creation and renewable energy outside the doors of these public meetings so that we can be heard louder than the lobbyists in Tallahassee. FP&L is one of the greenest utilities in the country and has advanced renewables like no other and will continue to do so – as long as they are the only ones allowed to profit from it.   Every electrician, plumber, roofer, youth group, school, place of worship, environmental group and concerned or unemployed citizen needs to attend. WE aren't AGAINST the rate increase – We are FOR small scale distributed generation of RENEWABLE ENERGY!

 

These service hearing dates and locations are:   

 

Town	Date	Day	Time	Location
Sarasota	June 19	Friday	11:00 a.m.	City Commission Chambers City Hall  1565 First St.
Ft. Myers	June 19	Friday	6:00 p.m.	Lee County Public Ed. Center Boardroom 2855 Colonial Blvd.
Daytona	June 23	Tuesday	4:00 p.m.	Daytona Beach City Commission Chambers 301 S. Ridgewood Ave.
Melbourne	June 24	Wednesday	9:00 a.m.	Brevard County Government Center Commission Room, Bldg.C 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way
West Palm Beach	June 24	Wednesday	4:00 p.m.	Palm Beach County Gov. Center, Jane Thompson Memorial Chambers  301 N. Olive Ave.
Ft. Lauderdale	June 25	Thursday	9:00 a.m.	Broward County Main Library Auditorium  100 S. Andrews Ave.
Miami	June 25	Thursday	4:00 p.m.	Miami Science Museum  3280 S. Miami Ave.

 

 

1. There are two important points to be made for those that respectfully appear before the Florida Public Service Commission.    The Florida State Legislature receives recommendations concerning  energy policy from the Public Service Commission to guide the government in passing laws.  The meetings outlined above represent our single best chance of having our voices heard on:We are the "SUNSHINE STATE" yet we don't even qualify for the top ten list of solar friendly states!  The top 10 solar-friendly states, then, are by latitude and attitude, mainly how much support there is among the citizenry, the available incentive and policy programs in place, and days of sunshiny weather. We got beat out by NM, CO, PA, MD, MA, CT, NJ, CA, OR, and MN.  Yes, really, Minnesota!           
   

http://solar.coolerplanet.com/Articles/top-10-solar-friendly-states.aspx

For those unfamiliar with the Feed In Tariff  (FIT) or Renewable Energy Dividend, the FARE or Florida Alliance for Renewable Energy website has a lot of information and the You Tube videos linked below are an easy way to familiarize yourself with this policy that helped Germany become the leader in solar energy, create 250,000 GOOD jobs for plumbers, electricians, roofers, bankers, administrators, etc.   Basically a FIT requires no taxpayer dollars and is a renewable energy law that obliges energy suppliers to buy electricity produced from renewable resources at a fixed price, usually over a fixed period - even from householders. These legal guarantees ensure investment security, and the support of all viable renewable energy technologies.   The utility pays you for the cost of electricity your solar system produces PLUS a reasonable profit (5-7%).  Supporters argue that the feed-in model, if implemented effectively around the world, would greatly assist the energy revolution that is so desperately required; through CO2 reduction, market creation and development, job creation and improved energy security.  If a Feed In Tariff policy gets adopted by another state first (MI and even Canada are in this race and it is a race!!!!) then Florida runs the risk of all that investment capital and installers of these technologies fleeing the state to go where the Feed In Tariff policy is.  Do you want all of those resources flying north when we desperately need our friends, neighbors and colleagues back to work?

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory study (http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy09osti/45549.pdf) proves that a Feed In Tariff is the quickest and most effective way to deploy renewable energy RAPIDLY and at the least cost to the ratepayer.  The only thing stopping this job growth machine that works so effectively in Europe is politics.  Plain and simple.  The more people that attend, the louder our collective voice.  Show up and be counted before it's too late for Florida. (one hour prior to the meeting so the commissioners will see you and your signs as they drive to the location)

1.  Florida is one of the last states to adopt a Renewable Portfolio Standard.  Not only do we not have one, but during the last legislative session, nuclear was added to the standard that almost got passed.  They had to change it to the "Clean Portfolio Standard" Click on the following link and look at all the other state that have RPS and notice that not one of them includes nuclear.  There is much research material online to support this.
   

   http://www.epa.gov/chp/state-policy/renewable_fs.html
   

                                                        CARRY YOUR SIGNS AND BANNERS HIGH

RENEWABLE ENERGY JOBS NOW	FEED IN TARIFF	PASS A FEED IN TARIFF IN 2010
PASS RPS NOW	GET FLORIDIANS A FEED IN TARIFF	F.I.T.'S FOR THE PEOPLE
SMALL SCALE RENEWABLES	A FEED IN TARIFF MEANS JOBS NOW	RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARD NOT CPS
WINDMILLS BY THE WATER	GIVE THE POWER TO PEOPLE	SOLAR ON EVERY ROOF
BECAUSE WE LIVE IN THE SUNSHINE STATE	PSC CAN BE FLORIDAS HERO	FEED IN TARIFF FOR 2010
PASS A FIT BEFORE CANADA DOES	GEOTHERMAL TODAY	BIOMASS IS AN ANSWER
PROFITS FOR SOLAR PRODUCTION	SOLAR FOR FARMS	MORE WIND FROM WINDMILLS – NOT LOBBYISTS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boDsnZJtThY&feature=channel  Why Solar is So Profitable in GRU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6Vy5MNa-Sc (Quick info on Renewable Energy Dividend or FIT) 

Rally for Renewables in Florida - What? The Public Service Commission and FP&L want to hear from me? So glad you asked!

My name is Monica Kennedy. I'm a USGBC LEED Accredited Professional and owner of Elite Solar Services in Sarasota. On behalf of all construction workers in the State of Florida that want to get back to work and the Florida Alliance for Renewable Energy, we'd like the Florida Public Service Commission to use all of the knowledge you've worked so hard to get in these renewable energy workshops you've been in over the last year and make it pay off by crafting a Feed-in-Tariff Policy (FIT) for the state of Florida that works and becomes a model for the rest of the country. Setting a policy where a utility is obligated to pay you for your renewable energy plus a reasonable profit is the solution for many problems we face. The FPL rate increase won't help these construction workers in the short term who are suffering the highest unemployment rate of their lifetimes and moving back in with their parents in Northern states. Lori White, the Superintendent of Schools in Sarasota says that 100 students a month are leaving the school system and Sarasota is faring better than other counties. But If you announce during this long, hot summer that you're putting together a well crafted Feed –in-Tariff policy for the legislature to debate and pass in 2010 that could bring large amounts of jobs whose skill sets exactly match those of these fleeing Floridians, they might just be able to hang in until fall which will keep our teachers and public servants employed also. The Plumbers, electricians, roofers and engineers that have been sitting in their tool belts waiting for the phone to ring are leaving Florida by the truckloads. Let's keep them here to install solar on roofs of farms, churches and businesses that can profit from the energy they generate. The Feed in Tariff Policy works well for so many European communities and created 250,000 jobs in Germany – and the Gainesville story is a success. The FIT will make good jobs NOW, not 10 years from now like the nuclear plant or jobs for 10 minutes like the 3 huge arrays out in a field like the ones FPL is building. The National Renewable Energy Labs study http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy09osti/45549.pdf proves that a Feed-in-Tariff is the quickest way to deploy renewable energy and at the lowest cost to the ratepayer. You have the proof. Small scale distributed generation is the solution for us all! This is a budget neutral policy that both sides of the aisle can get behind and requires no taxpayer dollars.

The Navigant Study commissioned for the PSC is dated. Since then the price of solar technology has come down 25% so far in 2009 and unemployment has surpassed the worst case scenario. It's time to revisit Feed-in-Tariff and formulate a renewable energy policy that puts the Sunshine State at the top of the renewable energy revolution. Right now, according to Solar Planet, Florida isn't even in the top 10 solar friendly states. We know that FP&Light is one of the greenest utilities in the country but they need a model for small scale solar or solar on every roof.

The sun belongs to everyone. The new American dream is to get off the grid. A Feed in Tariff allows EVERYONE to participate. The opportunity to get the $1 trillion of private sector cash sitting in money market funds of private investors put into OUR Florida economy is fleeting. This money was in intangible assets like stocks and bonds and is now seeking a safe, physical investment with a reasonable rate of return. These investment dollars are fungible and will easily cross borders to the state that passes the Feed in Tariff first. Or even CANADA! It's a race. Jennifer Granholm in MI is this close to passing one up there. Do you really want all of these investment dollars going up there along with the workers who will fly to wherever a Feed in Tariff is passed first?

. Florida is one of the last states to even pass a Renewable Portfolio Standard? http://www.epa.gov/chp/state-policy/renewable_fs.html (notice no other state included NUCLEAR in their standards as Florida attempted to do last session)

We are being left in the dust when it comes to renewable energy despite what this one green utility is doing. Solar on Every Roof goes against the monopolistic FPL model but they'll adapt and make money; they always do and that's fine. Let us all make a little money. Create a new industry for Florida. That's what you'll be doing. We know you don't pass the laws but we want you to get ready for it because you'll have to make it work. Be our heroes. This could be a $14 million a year industry that could dwarf citrus and even tourism. That's what we need to get this state out of the muck. By the way, you'll be increasing our national security, energy independence and reducing our carbon footprint. I mean this is what the President wants, the Governor wants and most importantly what the people you represent want. Be Florida's HERO and prepare and recommend a fantastic Feed in Tariff policy for passage in Tallahassee in 2010. Thank you.

John Kennedy in the news

 

John Kennedy, president of Elite-Weiler Pools, a Pool & Spa News Top Builder in Sarasota, Fla., believes in silver linings.

His argument: Florida probably is due for a healthy thinning of the herd anyway.

The area is overloaded with contractors, he said, and a large shakeout could serve as a cleansing of sorts.

Going back to 2004, Kennedy explained, the state of Florida had few provisions for specialty licenses. The result was that nearly everyone who touched a pool — plumbers, excavators, bricklayers — suddenly became licensed contractors.

So when construction took off, a glut of tradespeople flooded the market.

"There are just so many more of these people today who call themselves pool contractors offering their services," Kennedy said. "And they're capturing just enough of the market that a lot of the good companies can't survive."

As evidence, he pointed to Sarasota County, which saw 873 residential pool permits pulled in 2006. Compare that with 2008, when just 279 permits were granted.

"You've still got 30 percent more builders there today," Kennedy added. "So when you say there's going to be a bloodletting, that could be good news because many of the people going away probably don't belong in this business to begin with."

Florida Solar Energy Industries Association

These rebates that are available right now from the state, federal, and florida solar energy grants are so great for small businesses cash flow, I don't see how any business owner could pass them up. Basically the government is giving you money to put these systems on your roof. The Florida rebate program was the least secure with the legislature just sending the approved budget (which Florida used federal block grant money to fund) to Governor Crist who has yet to approve. If approved, which many say is probable, the Florida rebates of $100,000 for commercial pv systems and $20,000 for residential will be honored, if you get your application in the queue.


Florida Solar Energy Industries Association: "Bottom line: If the budget is approved by the Governor it will provide the 2009–2010 Solar Rebate Program fiscal year with $14.4 million of funding. Applicants in the queue will receive rebates first . . . current estimate of approximately $5 million has been approved. This plus the other opportunities for solar I have outlined above."
This is from the May 12, 2009 The Silver Lining to No RPS from the flaseia.org website.

Because you live in the Sunshine State!!!

Monica Kennedy
Elite Solar Services
Sarasota, FL 34240
monica@elitesolar.com
941-343-6100

Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of the US Green Building Council (USGBC) Expands to Sarasota

Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of the US Green Building Council (USGBC) Expands to Sarasota

Great News for the Planet!!!!!

GAINESVILLE:
GRU Solar Plan Given City Approval
The city of Gainesville moved one step closer on Thursday to adopting a solar energy incentive plan that would be the first of its kind in the nation. The plan would allow Gainesville Regional Utilities to purchase energy produced by solar panels at a rate calculated to be profitable to the owner of the panels. Commissioners and leaders from GRU were optimistic that the plan -- known internationally as a feed-in tariff -- would create a blossoming solar industry in Gainesville and attract investment in the renewable energy. [Source: Gainesville Sun]

Pasted from <http://floridatrend.com/article.asp?aID=50159>

Let the Sun Shine In!!!!

The weather is sublime in November in Sarasota! This is my absolute favorite month - hands down. October is still a little warm. Halloween is a great holiday - no doubt. But I've been staring at skeletons, bludgeoned doll brides and 20 skulls in the front yard for a month and the beauty of nature is all there is to look at in November. The onslaught of holiday lights aren't yet on display (nor the pressure to hang ours) and Thanksgiving isn't a high stress holiday for me. So I sat in a solar seminar all day Saturday thinking how exciting a time it is to live in Florida. The federal rebate on solar installations that allows people 30% off the cost of a system with no cap starting Jan.1, 2009 is about as exciting as it gets! Finally, it's time I can feel great talking to people about the benefits of solar energy. I can't wait!

More fun sun facts to follow in the days to come!