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Message from the President and Director
Dear Friends:
Welcome to the October 2008 edition of the FREPA "IGNITE" newsletter. First, please forgive the length of this message. Much has taken place and much is at stake in the next few months.
As we count down the days before the next presidential election, FREPA members are pleased to note that while the bailout and our economy is the most pressing issue in our nation at the moment of this publication , energy is constantly on the candidates' minds. Now, more that ever, every effort must be made to make the new green economy a primary economic development tool. Our economy must become a 21st century economy and how we deliver energy will be a large part. We encourage our leaders to discuss energy without the hyperbole we typically get in our political discourse. It is important that policy makers and investors continue to support alternative fuels producers so that their product becomes a larger part of our transportation fuel strategy while at the same time introduce more domestic oil to the market to enhance our international security. Moreover, a broader energy policy must include discussion about electric generation, biofuels and conservation opportunities. There are unique opportunities to reduce green house gas emissions through the use of renewable sources such as solar, wind, biomass, anerobic digestion, and geothermal - technologies available today. But admittedly, these sources of energy will need tremendous support from our policy makers.
While we at FREPA are a strong and constant proponent for creating an industry that is market driven, we also believe that a market driven industry cannot come into fruition without governmental leadership. In other words, our government should promote policies to undergird the landscape for renewable development and production -then get out of the way. So far, we do not have the policy evolution needed to do just that. In Florida, a mandatory RPS is certainly a good start along with strong alternative fuel standards. Additionally, we will need to follow the lead of Agricultural Commissioner Bronson and Governor Crist to boldly pursue the harvesting of the many energy feed stocks that can be safely grown and harvested in Florida.
In August, the Florida PSC released a strawman proposal for a Florida RPS that fell way short of Governor Crist's recommendation of 20% renewable energy by 2020 for electric generation.The PSC proposal asked for a goal of 20% by 2050.
On October 2, 2008 the PSC staff released its final RPS recommendations which is no better. The commission is to take up staff recommendations on October 14th. Staff recommendations moves us from a current palty 2% to 5% in nearly ten years (2017) .....capping the percentage at 20% in year 2041. What we are doing from 2008-2017 is questionable at best. This is not a forward leaning renewable energy policy. The proposal indicates a hesitation to embrace a strong RPS rule. PSC staff avoids making a rule which will not completely empower IOU's in opposition to a competitive renewable energy industry in Florida for indepependent renewable developers/producers. And, that seems all too familiar to FREPA members.
So, we encourage you to urge our leaders to put the status quo aside and change our energy paradigm. By doing so, we will champion innovation. This political season is our opportunity to encourage a view of the big picture with regard to job creation and competitiveness in a global economy.
And finally, we thank those of you who took time out of your schedules to attend our first Clean Energy Finance meeting on beautiful Sanibel Island Florida. Join FREPA today. Join the collective voices of FREPA "The Voice of Renewable Energy in Florida" as a member in support of our goal of making Florida the renewable energy leader in the Southeastern United States.
Sincerely,
Michael Dobson
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FREPA News
NREA
Working with renewable energy state association directors from around the united states, FREPA's founders have joined in with them to form the National Renewable Energy Executives Association (NREA)
The national association will be a united voice on certain principals and policies that are key to industry growth and as a tool to develop best practices for renewable energy state assosiations.
Florida Clean Energy Fund
FREPA is poised to begin work 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. Those who are interested in being a part of the FREPA steering committee specific to ths project, please e-mail Lisa@Floridaenergyproducers.com . We will provide conference call dates and other information.
Member Spotlight is on:
For a second month, the Florida's Great Northwest is highlighted in our member spotlight. Theirs is a comprehensive mission statement:
Grow a vibrant and sustainable economy for all 16 counties in Northwest Florida that creates nationally and globally competitive advantages for the development of key industry clusters, increases the income and prosperity of workers and families, ensures healthy communities and a vibrant quality of life, and preserves the natural beauty and resources of the region.
FREPA Regulatory Team Action
FREPA's regulatory counsel is engaged in work on behalf of FREPA members to work through various permitting issues with DEP that renewable projects invariably face. Additionally, our legal team is working to identify opportunities to streamline the permitting process for renewable projects such as those encountered by biomass and biofuels developers.
Finally, our legal team provides comments to the PSC with respect to the RPS creation. Members are free to call upon our legal counsel for assistance when needed.
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News Articles
Bronson to Keynote 3rd Annual Cellulosic Ethanol Summit in November
10.3.08
Charles H. Bronson, the commissioner of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and a member of the National 25x'25 Steering Committee, will be a luncheon speaker at the 3rd annual edition of Cellulosic Ethanol Summit, which is set for Nov. 17-19 at the Westin Colonnade Hotel in Coral Gables, FL.
Read more
Florida green energy plan criticized
A proposal by the Public Service Commission recommends the state have 20 percent renewable energy by 2041 -- a plan that environmentalists say is too weak
BY JOHN DORSCHNER
jdorschner@MiamiHerald.com
In a proposal that might decide the future of green power in Florida for decades, the staff of the Public Service Commission recommended Thursday that electric utilities be required to provide 20 percent of their power from renewable sources by the year 2041.
be required to provide 20 percent of their power from renewable sources by the year 2041.
Read more
Nuclear energy is not renewable energy, PSC staff says
By CHRISTINE STAPLETON
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Friday, October 03, 2008
Florida Power & Light's effort to persuade regulators that nuclear power is a renewable energy suffered a blow Thursday when the staff of Florida's Public Service Commission recommended against including nuclear in the state's portfolio of green energy.
Read more
Bailout plan bails out clean-energy sector
Posted by Martin LaMonica
The massive U.S. financial bailout plan, signed into law Friday afternoon, renews existing tax credits for renewable energy and includes rebates for plug-in hybrid drivers. Read moreSenate adds renewable energy credits to bailout
South Florida Business Journal - by Mike Soraghan Greenbizjournals.com contributor
The extension of tax credits for the renewable energy industry has been added to the $700 billion Wall Street bailout as part of a multi-faceted tax package that is expected to be voted on today, the U.S. Senate announced Tuesday night.
Read more
Fla. PSC OKs Deals To Improve Renewable Energy
Florida to mandate greater use of renewable energy: Associated Press Business News - MSN Money
Florida PSC Terminates FPL's Sunshine Energy Program
Alliance Outlines Needs for National Energy Plan
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Third Annual Florida Renewable Energy Expo in Orlando, hosted by FREA.
Date:TBA
October 13-16, San Diego, CA
October 19-21, University of Central Florida
November 17-19 at the Westin Colonnade Hotel in Coral Gables, FL.
Renewable Federal grant and loan workshop
December 16, 2008 in Orlando Florida
*$60 meeting attendee fee
Lunch and meeting materials included. To reserve seat: 
A USDA and DOE renewable energy grant and loan overview
Featured presenters including Q&A
Jeff Jobe, National Business Cooperative Field Advisor for USDA Rural Development ( overseeing rural renewable energy progarm)
Joe Muller, USDA Florida Rural Business Development Program Director
Also:
- Representative from DOE-TBA
- Federal Grant writing workshop,by Dr. Tawainga Katsvairo
- Renewable energy project financing-TBA
Fo updates keep checking FREPA events page for updates. FREPA Events
Biopower Generation
Sustainable large scale power generation from biomass
Brussels, Belgium, 12-13 February 2009
Get ready for FREPA's second annual Sunshine State Energy Expo in Tallahassee on March 11, 2009. Attendence fee is $150.00
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Please contact our office at (850) 222-0441 or e-mail Michael@floridaenergyproducers.com 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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