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Message from the President and Director
Welcome to the FREPA " IGNITE" newsletter.
As FREPA strives to be your voice on renewable energy production issues in Florida, we hope to provide you with useful information.
The energy bill passed by the legislature in May went a long way largely to codify the governors far-reaching executive order, but there is mammoth work left to be done. Some of the key items in the bill that FREPA has urged the legislature to move forward over the years such as the RPS is subject to the PSC's rule development and subsequent final approval from the 2009 legislature. So, for those reasons, it is key that we remain focused and engaged. Florida still lags behind many other states regarding our lack of an RPS and other important policies for renewable growth, but what we have now is an opportunity to become the leader in the southeastern united states with respect to our renewable energy policy. With the leadership of the governor and others, we are encouraged.
FREPA has long maintained that our goal is to have a vibrant renewable energy/independent power industry in Florida. We have worked to urge policymakers and encourage public engagement so that a regulatory infrastructure is in place that will allow renewable development in Florida to flurish and be market driven. The renewable development community, state agriculture interest and the environmental community will have to seek a balance.... the balance between the production of cleaner energy for power/fuel and the propensity to focus only on impurities within the production process.
So, we ask that you join us. We ask that you join FREPA. The ability to communicate in todays environment will require your help and your resources to get our message out so that we can go significantly beyond the paltry 2% of renewable energy being produced on Florida's electric grid and to better utilize our agricultural community so that we do reach our potential with respect to biofuel production, biomass from homegrown feed stock and etc.
Sincerely,
Michael Dobson
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FREPA News
Clean Energy Summit
FREPA announce its summer "Clean Energy Finance and Regulatory Summit" to be held on August 8-9 2008. The "Clean Energy Finance and Regulatory Summit" is a serious discussion and educational opportunity on the role and needs of clean energy producers in Florida with an eye on the Public Servive Commission (PSC) rulemaking process specific to Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards (RPS), Renewable Energy Credits (REC's), carbon markets, net metering and etc. Such sections will be covered by regulatory experts who are well versed on where Florida is currently with respect to the industries regulatory challenges and opportunities.
The meeting will also include educational seminars with renewable energy project financing experts and other professinals in the project finance business. We will also engage financial institutions eager to know more about renewable development activity in Florida. There will also be a Q & A period with respect to project financing
The summit is a one day event at Sanibel Island Florida with a reception held the night before (Aug 8th) . And, for those who plan to stay afterward FREPA has made special arrangements for golfing. More informatin will be available soon. Please e-mail [email protected] if you have any questions.
Florida Clean Energy Fund
FREPA is coordinating efforts with supporters and like minded organizations to pursue the creation of a dedicated renewable energy fund in Florida much like the "Public Benefits Fund" of other states. The groups key objective is to create such a fund via strategies that would not increase taxes, add onto utility bills or otherwise burden Florida citizens.
New Members
FREPA welcomes its newest member, East Coast Ethanol,LLC whom will also have a representative on FREPA's board. Please vist their website to learn more about them. East Coast Ethanol
Biomass Gas and Electric. LLC (BG&E) has made recommendations to it governess structure to join FREPA . BG&E will also have a representative on FREPA's board upon membership processing. Please visit their website to learn more about them.
Florida Crystals, Inc has also joined FREPA as a general member and member of FREPA's board. As you may know, Florida Crystal has the most facinating closed loop self sustaining biomass plant in Florida and has been a leader in renewable energy production in Florida for many years. Please visit their site to learn more about them.
FREPA regulatory team shaping up
FREPA has reached a tentative agreement with Shumaker Loop and Kendrick of Tampa to work on behalf of FREPA. They are one of Florida's more experienced law firms in the area of utility regulation, environmental law and all the areas whereby FREPA members could benefit from said expertise. The firms lead counsel with respect to FREPA will be Charles "Chip" Fletcer. Charles is no stranger to the legislative process nor to the PSC. We are pleased to have his talent
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Pickens: Oil production has peaked Eoin O'Carroll | 06.18.08
Speaking in a Senate committee hearing, the legendary Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens said that world crude oil production has topped out.
"I do believe you have peaked out at 85 million barrels a day globally," he told the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Tuesday, according to Reuters. Read storyCongressional stalemate over renewable energy Zachary Coile, Chronicle Washington Bureau Wednesday, June 18, 2008
06-18) 04:00 PDT Washington - -- Even as lawmakers of both parties talk about the need to shift the country toward clean, renewable energy, Congress is in danger of letting key tax credits that have fueled the growth of wind and solar power expire at the end of the year. Read storyWashington Fails Renewable Energy, Again Carl Gutierrez, 06.17.08, 10:46 PM ET
Solar and wind energy stocks slipped in afternoon trading in New York after the U.S. Senate once again failed to pass tax breaks for the industry.
Congress fails to extend credits VALLEY LEADERS DECRY PARTISAN STALEMATE OVER INCENTIVES FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY, R&D By Frank Davies
Mercury News Washington Bureau Article Launched: 06/11/2008 01:34:46 AM PDT
WASHINGTON - To the disappointment of many Silicon Valley companies, partisan politics in Congress on Tuesday continued to block the extension of tax credits for renewable energy and research and development.
Energy Boost Solar and Wind Businesses Powered by Tax Breaks By Anita HuslinWashington Post Staff Writer Monday, April 14, 2008; Page D01
For Tony Clifford, president of Standard Solar, the threats of climate change and high energy have been great for business.
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Legislature Needs To Support Strong Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards South Florida Sun-Sentinel SOUTH FLORIDA SUN-SENTINEL OP-ED ONLINE by Michael Dobson
The Florida Legislature has gone a long way to pass a renewable energy bill this session, but we urge them to make sure that it produces renewable energy. One way to do that is to build the policy infrastructure for green jobs in Florida. Much of the bill seeks to codify the Governor's Executive Order. The article
House Subcommittee Rejects Plan to Open U.S. Waters to More Oil Exploration
WASHINGTON - A House subcommittee on Wednesday rejected a Republican-led effort to open up more U.S. coastal waters to oil exploration.
Rep. John Peterson, R-Pa., spearheaded the effort. His proposal would open up U.S. waters between 50 and 200 miles off shore for drilling. The first 50 miles off shore would be left alone.
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Please contact our office at (850) 222-0441 or e-mail [email protected] for additional information about FREPA or any item which appeared in this newsletter
Sincerely,
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Michael Dobson Florida Renewable Energy Producers Association
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