{"id":211,"date":"2011-11-20T10:45:13","date_gmt":"2011-11-20T15:45:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cah.ucf.edu\/imprint\/?p=211"},"modified":"2018-11-07T10:56:24","modified_gmt":"2018-11-07T15:56:24","slug":"sunshine-state-energy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cah.ucf.edu\/imprint\/sunshine-state-energy\/","title":{"rendered":"The Sunshine State: Power, Politics, and Florida\u2019s Future"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Cortni Merritt<\/em><\/p>\n

Young adults today may have more power than in any generation before to determine the important issues of the next election and contribute to its outcome. According to Future Majority, \u201cenergy initiatives\u201d – which includes concerns of reducing America\u2019s dependence on foreign oil and development of renewable energy resources – is one of the hottest topics for voters ages 18-29.<\/p>\n

In Florida, an economy with increasing unemployment and costs of living could be pushing the enactment and enforcement of renewable energy policies to the forefront of discussion in Tallahassee.<\/p>\n

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Across the country, states are experimenting with solar power as a source to meet consumers\u2019 needs. AmericanEnergyIndependence.com<\/a>\u00a0reports how solar energy alone could allow America to become entirely independent in a global market.<\/p>\n

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California, as the country\u2019s largest energy consumer, needs a calculated 200 square miles of solar panels to become energy self-sufficient. 200 square miles is less than one third of the size of Lake Okeechobee; so Florida, as the country\u2019s 3rd largest energy consumer, easily has the same solar self-sufficiency potential.<\/p>\n

Interestingly NextEra Energy<\/a>, who owns Florida Power & Light (FPL), is co-investing with General Electric in California solar power, but has no plans to upgrade its solar investments in Florida. Why not invest here? And what does that mean for the average twenty-something paying the power bill?<\/p>\n

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FPL and other energy companies seem dangerously close to political involvement in their own industry regulation.\u00a0 FPL \u2013 which supplies energy to over 4.5 million homes across Florida – is commended as being the \u201cWal-Mart of Renewable Power<\/a>\u201d because of their \u201cdiversified energy portfolio.\u201d However, a breakdown shows that less than 15% of their energy is supplied by truly renewable sources: wind, hydroelectric, and solar. In fact, half their energy supply (54.2%) is natural gas and over a quarter (26.4%) is nuclear.<\/p>\n

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Although Florida accounted for close to all the company\u2019s 2010 $2 billion profits, FPL continues to ignore their solar energy supply in Florida; currently a measly 0.2%.\u00a0 Instead, FPL has released plans to upgrade their nuclear facilities with funding from a court-approved rate increase to Floridians<\/a>. Even if the upgrades don\u2019t occur, FPL will be able to continue charging an average $2 per month more each household.<\/p>\n

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Meanwhile, Barron\u2019s magazine<\/a>\u00a0(part of the Wall Street Journal Digital Network) advises investors that NextEra Energy is a \u201cgood buy,\u201d as stock values are expected to rise steadily over the next 4 years. That great news for shareholders comes directly from profits squeezed out of the average Floridian.<\/p>\n

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At the same time, FPL seems to be trying to throw financial bones to both the little guy and big business – if they invest in solar panel installation on their own, that is. Though Sargent and Lundy Engineering reports<\/a>\u00a0that the long-term cost is competitive with other technologies, the average home and small business owner often shies from solar energy\u2019s upfront expense.<\/p>\n

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FPL<\/a>\u00a0and Progress Energy<\/a>\u00a0both offer rebates in addition to state and federal government incentives\u00a0to consumers choosing to install solar panels, though funds for these programs are limited. As additional incentive to large corporations who can more easily bear the expense of solar panel installation in today\u2019s economy (supermarkets, hospitals, etc), FPL offers discounts\u00a0off their monthly bills if they create jobs.<\/p>\n

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In totality, it appears FPL projects hefty profits for shareholders, while they legally encumber Floridians with the cost of their nuclear business development, and offer to help only those who can afford the initial investment required for renewable energy. Thanks, guys.<\/p>\n

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North Carolina-based Progress Energy \u2013 another major power-provider to Floridians\u2013 began in 2011 to research potential increases in Florida\u2019s solar power supply. \u00a0By experimenting with the impact that small solar developments\u00a0can have on Orlando\u2019s power grid, they are at least backing up their words of being \u201cdedicated to renewable energy\u201d with some action.<\/p>\n

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Meanwhile, Progress Energy, along with Tampa Electric Company (TECO), is investing in the future of Florida\u2019s politics. They are both contributors to the Tampa Bay Public Leadership Institute<\/a>, which has chosen 25 businesspeople to be groomed for positions as politicians. These \u201cstudents\u201d have at least state-position ambition, and their political breakdown appears lop-sided at best and one-sided at worst; with 14 Republicans, 6 Democrats, and 5 of undisclosed political affiliation.<\/p>\n

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