Energy Report: 1998 State Legislative Session
By Robert Farmer
Following is a recap of the hits and misses—mostly misses—in this year’s Legislative Session. Although few energy-related bills were passed, what is interesting is the diversity of the issues that actually made it to the proposal stage. What’s glaringly obvious, though, is that energy and environmental sustainability just don’t rate in the state that stands to lose the most.
Department of Community Affairs Budget
$6 million oil surcharge dollars were appropriated for energy program purposes. DCA was given broad discretion in fund allocation for such purposes as: transportation, communities, energy education, agriculture, alternative-fuel vehicles, long-term emissions mitigation development, solar initiatives, and weatherization program funding. Note: Proviso was slated to be included under the energy funding section of the state budget to fund the development of a State Energy Plan but other than gaining a few supporters was defeated by the electric utility industry.
State Comprehensive Plan
- SB 2474 amended DCA’s growth management bill to include creation of a Study Committee to recommend updates to the State Comprehensive Plan. The Plan includes a section on Energy Goals and Policies which would also be subject to update.
Electricity Industry Restructuring
- SB 1888 by Crist was not heard in Committee. Companion legislation was not filed in the House.
Global Climate Disruption
- House Memorial (HM) 4069 barring US Senate ratification of the Kyoto Protocol absent binding emission limits on developing countries was approved by the Committee on Environmental Protection (!?) but did not make its way to the Floor.
Orimulsion
- SB 98 and HB 3157 to ban the use of Orimulsion as a utility fuel were not given hearings in either house.
Economic Development
- HB 3501 was approved to create a small business technology growth guarantee loan program.
Reliable and Affordable Energy
- “Shell bills” were filed in both houses to “ensure the provision of adequate and reliable electric energy”. The Senate bill (SB 1224) was not addressed by committee. The House bill (PCB UC-98-4) was modified to consist of a proposal relating to municipal utility customers only. The bill cleared the House Utilities Committee but went no further.
Sales Tax Exemptions
- HB 3249 broadened the sales tax exemption for electricity used in certain manufacturing operations to include steam used to operate related machinery and equipment.
The Energy Efficiency Rating Act
- The Act was amended to streamline requirements of Realtors in notifying prospective buyers about the ratings.
Florida Public Service Commission
- SB 426 to provide for election, rather than appointment, of PSC Commissioners was not heard in Committee.
Energy Performance Contracting Act
- Proposed in SB 1500, was not heard in Committee.
Florida Clean Fuel Act
- HB 4493 to promote alternative-fuel vehicles was not heard in Committee.
Farmer’s Investment Outlook
- Breathing gear, short-term.
- Oceanfront property at Disney World, long-term. •
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