Energy plan taking shape in Legislature

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A wide-ranging energy bill that would provide rebates for people who buy energy efficient appliances, make it easier for companies to build new plants and encourage alternative energy sources was passed Monday by the Senate.
 
The bill would cut red tape for utilities seeking sites for new power plants and lines, provide grants for renewable energy development and offer limited tax incentives for solar energy devices, hydrogen powered vehicles and a pair of alternative fuels, biodiesel and ethanol.
 
Gov. Jeb Bush was concerned about another provision in the bill that would have created the Florida Energy Council, which would set energy policy for the state. Bush feared that would make obsolete the Florida Energy Office under the Department of Environmental Protection.
 
But it appeared a compromise was being worked out that instead would create an advisory commission that reports to the Legislature.
 
Consumers would be able to get rebates by mail when they buy energy efficient appliances any time during the year, and the bill also would declare a "tax holiday" on such purchases from Oct. 5 through Oct. 11.
 
A House version of the bill (HB 1473) includes the tax holiday - which came as a suggestion from Bush - but lacks the year-round rebates.
 
The Senate version (SB 888) passed unanimously. Its sponsor, Sen. Lee Constantine, R-Altamonte Springs, advocated for his proposal before the vote.
 
"This is our ... attempt to get ourselves ahead of the curve when it comes to energy policy whether it be incentives, whether it be in siting, whether it be as a commission that will look at the long term policies available to us so that we can stop and reduce our dependency on foreign and other oil," he said.
 
Dan Hendrickson, a lobbyist for the Sierra Club, said Constantine's bill shows too much support for nuclear plants, coal companies that release harmful carbon into the air and waste burning factories that release dioxin, another harmful chemical. Meanwhile, solar and wind energy outlets receive too little money, he said