Energy Bill H 7135

H 7135: Governance and Organization:

Creates the “Florida Energy and Climate Commission (FECC)” within the Executive Office of the Governor. The commission shall be comprised of nine members: Seven appointed by the Governor, one by the Commissioner of Agriculture, and one by the Chief Financial Officer.

H 7135: Leadership by State Government:

Green building standards for almost all publicly financed buildings and renovations.
Requiring that state agency leasing agreements for office space are allowed only if Energy Star standards are met.
Development of telecommuting programs within state agencies
Requiring that State Fleet should run on biofuels when available.
Requiring all new construction and renovation of state agency buildings to meet increased energy standards.
Adopting Climate Friendly Public Business requirements for the use of “green” products, lodging, vehicles, and fuel.

H 7135: Florida Energy Systems Consortium:

Created the Florida Energy Systems Consortium to promote collaboration among experts in the State University System for the purposes of sharing energy-related expertise and assisting in the development and implementation of a comprehensive, long-term, environmentally compatible, sustainable, and efficient energy strategic plan for the state.

H 7135: Climate Change

Authorized the Department of Environmental Protection to adopt rules for a Cap-and-Trade Regulatory Program to address Green House Gas (GHS) emissions from electric utilities, subject to legislative ratification and not prior to the 2010 Legislative Session.
Revising the State Comprehensive Plan to include goals and policies addressing low carbon electricity generation.
Extending the Public Service Commission’s jurisdiction to municipal utilities meeting certain criteria.
Providing for standardized interconnection agreements and net metering for all electric utilities.
Reauthorizing an ad valorem tax exemption for renewable energy source devices.

H 7135: Energy Efficiency and Security

Authorized the Public Service Commission (PSC) to adopt a Renewable Portfolio Standards for public utilities. PSC will develop RPS rules in collaboration with FECC and Department of Environmental Protection.
Requiring the PSC to adopt goals to increase and promote cost-effective demand-side and supply-side efficiency and conservation programs and renewable energy systems.
Creating a Renewable Fuel Standard requiring that beginning on December 31, 2010, all gasoline sold in Florida contain, at a minimum, 10 percent ethanol, by volume.
Requiring at least 50% increase in energy efficiency of the “Florida Energy Efficiency Code for Building Construction” compared to provisions of “2007 Florida Building Code” by 2019.
Requiring increase in energy efficiency for appliances, swimming pool equipment and water heaters for new commercial and residential building.

H 7135: Siting Act Improvements

Created Power Plant Act incorporating procedure for alternate corridors.
Revised laws governing state lands and power plant and power line siting to facilitate expanded power generation
Requiring encouragement of public participation through increased noticing and hearings.

H 7135: The Budget

$5M for the Solar Energy Systems Rebate program.
$7M for the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficient Technology Grants Program.
$8M for Bioenergy Projects for Renewable Technology Grants Program.
$8.5M for Florida Gulf Cost University solar field demonstration project.
$50M for the Florida Energy Systems Consortium (FESC)
$250,000 for DEP to conduct rule-making for cap and trade program.

Governor Crist committed to partnering with Germany and the United Kingdom to discuss and promote initiatives that broaden the Kyoto Protocol and reduce the emission of greenhouse gases beyond 2012.