Herald - page 2

Florida's renewable energy efforts have gone nowhere
The planned Babcock Ranch project near Fort Myers is trying to become the first completely solar-powered city.

Photo BY JOHN DORSCHNER
jdorschner@MiamiHerald.com

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''He did a masterful job,'' said Gaston Cantens of Florida Crystals. ``Not everyone liked everything in it, but it had just enough of what people wanted so nobody was really upset.''

The bill stalled in the House. ''This session was so weird, with the speaker's indictment and the budget crisis,'' said Glickman, referring to charges brought against Rep. Ray Sansom for getting the Legislature to approve a $6 million hangar for a buddy.

The new House leadership was somewhat disorganized and not at all enthusiastic about renewables. ''I think it was disingenuous for the House to act like this was a new area,'' said Glickman, considering that the Legislature had asked the PSC to return with a recommendation. But they'd say, 'The House doesn't have any appetite for this.' 'We did energy last year.' ''

Ultimately, House leaders added off-shore drilling to an energy bill, guaranteeing that environmentalists would oppose it. ''On the last day of the session, the governor physically came down to the House and pushed very hard'' for a renewables bill, said Glickman.

Some environmentalists have questioned Crist's commitment. The popular governor had gained a lot of publicity for demanding more fuel efficient cars -- a concept that didn't even make it out of committee. Then his backing of urging of renewables led to nothing.

Glickman said Crist shouldn't be faulted for that. ``I think the governor continues to deserve an enormous amount of credit. He fought back.''

Meanwhile, FPL tried a separate maneuver, attaching a rider to a large spending bill that would have given it full cost recovery for several of its solar projects, including the world's largest photovoltaic power plant for the new city of Babcock Ranch, 17,000 acres near Fort Myers.

FPL supports solar projects as long as its costs can be completely recovered from its customers. It has three solar projects already under way because of an earlier arrangement from the Legislature.

But this time, renewable energy groups were upset that FPL was getting a solar deal when they were being left out in the cold. Especially upset was Florida Crystals. Cantens complained FPL has been paying less than 4 cents a kilowatt-hour for the power produced by Crystals' sugar cane waste plant. That's about a third of what customers pay for electricity. Crystals has to accept what FPL pays because in the state's regulated system, there is no open market for selling power.

Not wanting FPL to prosper while other renewable companies had nothing, Florida Crystals sent lobbyist Sean Stafford to talk to a Senate leader. The FPL deal died. Stafford did not return a call seeking comment but both lobbyist Glickman and Crystals spokesman Cantens confirm this story.

FPL spokeswoman Jackie Anderson said, ``We were obviously disappointed that the Legislature did not carry forward the existing state policy supporting the development of renewable energy in Florida.''

Anderson and many environmentalists point out that construction of clean-energy plants can boost the economy. ''For example, the 75-megawatt solar thermal facility we are building in Martin County will generate more than 1,000 construction jobs, and a recent job fair to fill these positions brought in more than 8,000 applicants,'' Anderson wrote in an e-mail.

''The Babcock Ranch solar project would bring additional renewable energy, more than 400 jobs and significant economic benefits to the state. We would like to move forward on the project,'' Anderson wrote. ``We are committed to pursuing additional renewable energy projects like this one and will move forward when the necessary regulatory framework is in place.''

Developer Syd Kitson said he's continuing with his plans for Babcock Ranch. ''We're hopeful of starting construction next year,'' he said, and he still wants the city to be solar powered. That means action by the Legislature. ``It's not hurting us at the moment, but it's important we do get action.''

Congress is now discussing a national renewable standard. If that happens before action in Florida, renewable energy companies in other areas will continue to have a head start on companies trying to get started here, say environmentalists.

''By dragging their heels in the Legislature,'' Glickman said, ``Florida is more likely to miss out on the economic development opportunities.''