You mentioned oil and the Middle East having us over a barrel. Please keep in mind that the largest percentage of our oil use is from domestic production and we actually import more oil from Latin America and Canada than the Middle East. Pricing reflects that it is a global commodity, however. Also, most of our oil usage is for transportation (about 70%). The vast majority of our electricity (97%) comes from nuclear, coal, natural gas, hydroelectric, and wind. The amount of oil used for electricity production is in the noise range. When discussing energy, oil and electricity are pretty much orthogonal to each other. With regard to electricity, we are energy independent.
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Originally Posted by dotti105
This is the ammendment backed by Duke Energy, Florida Power and Light. It is basically a simple rewording of the existing law.
This ammendment move was accomplished by highly paid professionals whose sole job was to obtain the number of signatures to get this on the ballot.
The grass roots movement "Citizens for Solar Choice" did not receive enough signatures to get on the ballot. They had no paid petition pushers like those paid for by the Big Electric Companies.
"Citizens for Smart Solar" did achieve what the Big Power companies wanted. The grass roots effort was unsuccessful and whether this issue wins or loses on the ballot, there will be no changes in the Florida Law. That is the sole purpose of this action.
"Citizens for Solar Choice" wanted to allow citizens to purchase or lease solar equipment from 3rd party sellers (not just the power companies), and to have net metering applied uniformly throughout the state, with the customer getting paid for extra power generated into the grid. They also wanted the tax benefits that 46 other states have in place for those who choose solar.
Florida is one of only 4 states which have not already approved the above issues. The Grass roots effort, "Citizens for Solar Choice" was petitioning for just these items, but the Big Power Companies got worried and brought in the Big Guns, formed the "Citizens for Smart Solar" in order to confuse the issues. They drew up the petitions and hired consultants who do just that, confuse the issues for the citizens and are paid to gather signatures.
Big business won again. With Florida being the "Sunshine State" it is crazy that New Jersey, for example, has a vast amount of solar in use in homes, as we don't.
We worry so much about the Middle East having us over a barrel (an oil barrel), when we could do so much to become energy independent. It is too bad that dirty tricks, and deep pockets won out on this issue.
If you don't follow what I am saying, research the two groups yourself. It has been a very deceptive move on the part of the Electric Companies.
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