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Florida Renewable Energy Producers Association

Volume 19                                                Feb- March 2012

Message From The President  

The regular session of the Florida legislature ended on March 9, 2012.

 No organization and no industry gets everything it wants out of a legislative session, and the renewable energy industry in Florida is no exception. To be frank, this session has been difficult for renewable energy policy in Florida. We saw the Florida legislature eliminate statutory language that placed Florida on a track to lead the entire Southeastern United States. Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards language were eliminated along with language that was a precurser to a cap-n-trade system that (regardles of the politics) allowed for a tracking of greenhouse gas reduction efforts. As we warned FREPA members early on would happen, bills that would essentially deregulate certain aspects of renewable energy production did not get out of the starting gate. And as warned, legislation to give tax payers property tax relief for renewable energy device installations did not pass for a variety of reasons,  mainly with  quiet opposition by municipalities. However,  FREPA's legislative agenda did garner some wins, if only they were in a package that did not eliminate so much.

Some existing companies that produce energy,   now have tax credits and tax incentives. And, the legislation took up a FREPA agenda item that will allow for a cataloging of renewable energy resources in Florida.  As a result, HB 7117 does make an effot to reward some well positioned producers through the tax incentives, which worded differently could be a broader market driven approach. It is our interpretation, that the language does not lend itself to broad opportunity  to participate in the incentive scheme for many independents. There is  room to expand upon the benefit for a more competitive market.  We also maintain that the passage of such without renewable energy goals may make good intentions falter even farther and perhaps will not create the new and growing renewable energy  industry we desired. Therefore, in the final analysis, HB 7117   leaves the industry with only  a faint heartbeat, when before it was pounding with some excitement and anticipation.  

So with the good intentions mentioned or the could have beens in the bill, it makes it all that more difficult for us to now state that we cannot support the bill becoming law. We have come to that conclusion for a variety of reasons.  One being that ( again)  after careful inspection, even the good things in the bill may be limited to the benefit of a few and not geared toward a wide ranging policy that is comprehensive in nature and truly opens markets for new business and industry  to develop. Further, because of the bills severe limitations, passage would lull the legislature into a false sense of believing that we now have a renewable energy policy, when we do not. And if the past is prolog, after a bill has been hyped as being a victory after 4 years of trying, even if  the bill does little, that issue will more than likely never be addressed again, unless Florida is pressed by congress   to do so . To that point, the bill has nothing to indicate that something else is in place to move beyond the steps taken. Moreover, the bill does not do what the Governor wanted, that is create a comprehensive energy policy.

 Another reason it is difficult for us to recommend that the bill be vetoed is the great respect that I have for Commissioner Adam Putnam and the staff that has worked so hard on this bill, not to mention to Committee Chairs. I worked with Commissioner Putnam many years   ago (1999-2002) on agricultural policy as a lobbyist and got to know him as a fellow native of Bartow Florida.

Once when meeting with Commissioner Putnam when he was a member of the Florida House and Chairing the Agriculture Committee before going to Congress, he an I started talking about Bartow Florida, our hometown. I shared with him that i was the starting half back for the Bartow Senior High yellow Jackets  in 1975. He talked with me about Ronald Sabb of Gause Furneral home (the  only black funeral home in Bartow), Mr. James Austin, Mr Alvin Pearsal ( a former basketball coach) and many others who  were pillars of the black community. He knew them all and they knew him. He knew of Walt Harris, Katherin Harris's brother who was on the football team with me, of Liz Gibson (whose father was one of the few doctors in Bartow).  We even talked about Peace River.  Commissioner Putnam is my homeboy, and I am proud of him. I also think that he may one day become Florida's Governor. He would be  the first Governor from Bartow since Spessar Holland.

So, our  decision to recommend a veto of the bill has been indeed hard. We believe that the Commissioner should go back and get a real energy policy, one that gives renewable energy a solid future and one that is comprehensive. This bill simply eliminates all things that were needed to move renewable energy forward and replaces them with nothing, And in the end, there is not really much in the bill that independent developers or  entrepreneurs could get excited about, unless you are the favored few.  Again, we appreciate all of the hard work that went into this bill, but allowing it to become law would be a crucial mistake if we are serious about ever having a larger policy. We also want it to be known that our opposition and action toward HB 7117 should not be thought of as in opposition of those who benefit. As a trade association with a broader mission, our duty lies in the overall health and wellbeing of the larger industry. Those that benefit from HB 7117 can and will  also benefit from a broader energy policy that allows for the same incentives/benefits and more. If you share our concerns, we encourage you to write the Governor.

 So at FREPA, we will redouble our efforts to develop renewable energy goals and a clear strategy for Florida moving forward. But, In order to have  any success, FREPA will need the emotional and financial support of readers and members. That is why FREPA is under going an aggressive membership  and fundraising drive. We are candidly making it clear that  If renewable energy and cleantech companies want better outcomes, they are going to have to put skin in the game. This year FREPA celebrated its 5 year anniversary. Naivete' can no longer be an excuse. As the founding member of one of the State Capitols oldest lobbying firms, we have to cadily ask you to gird yourself for what will remain a challemgng environment . Your efforts and support now must include financial support.

FREPA has succeeded while others have fallen by the way side. And, FREPA has been on the right side of gauging where best to place our members efforts mostly due to our longtime experience lobbying Floridas legislature and the advantage of a having a historical prospective. Go to JOIN FREPA NOW and become a member today. We are offering new members a 25% discount in the month of March 2012. Join now or feel free to simply make a one time donation on our website at the payment button on the membership page.

Also,  we continue to  urged lawmakers to consider creating a statutorily approved Blue Ribbon Panel as described Here . We urge you to think about how you can contribute. This effort is only as strong as each individuals  contribution.  Your help will secure our industry.  

Wishing you the best, I am,

Michael Dobson

 President, FREPA

    ROGER BAYLY AND FAMILY  NEEDS YOUR HELP- HERE

On February 24, 2012, I called Roger bayly to return a call from him the previous day after a little telephone tag. In that call, Roger Bayly, a FREPA member and owner of VT, Inc of Ft Myers informed me that he has been newly  diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I've never received a call from anyone and have them share such news with me before.  I've even heard of stories where closest relatives are hesitant to share such diagnosis with their family members. In the conversation, I tried not to tell Roger that I knew how he felt or could imagine what he is going through .....because that would be a lie. When one faces certain crossroads, he/she can never quite know the emotional journey until it happens.

 But, what I did tell Roger is that I will do what ever I can do in my small way to help him. My first thought was to help him get informaton so that he can fight. I immediately thought of our beloved Senator Jim King and his fight against this disease. I advised Roger to call Kelly Williams in Senator Thrashers office, a long time aide to the former Senator King. I thought that she may have some insight from the Senators gallant fight. I also routed him to the Mayo clinic and the state funded biomedical research initiative.  I am asking any of you to also think of how you can help Roger.

Below is a photo of Roger and his team exhibiting their mobile renewable energy generator at the State Capitol (Feb 8, 2012) during the recent Florida Cleantech Summit at the State Capitol held by FREPA.

Roger is our brother. Not only our brother in humanity, brother in Christ, but also our brother in this fight to bring renewable energy and cleantech jobs to Florida. Please visit the website HERE  to help Roger and his family. His staff has put together this website to raise money to help Roger with this fight. As someone who has gotten to know Roger over the year, he is a cleantech leader in Florida, a great guy, committed family man and is tough as nails. And, if you are ever in Ft. Myers, please go by their shop and take a look at what they have created for the future. Please help Roger.

  Photos below taken by Arthur Lugisse  of Roger Bayly and Staff ,  and their Vertical Turbine Power - Mobile Unit..a  mobile renewable energy product which can be used in remote locations, for military use, at Florida parks and disaster relief. Does not need to be  connected to grid to provide energy and power the usage  needs of those around them.  

Roger, his team and their products

Roger and his team In Capitol Courtyard Feb 8, 2012

Vertical  Turbine Power - Mobile Renewable Energy Unitat Florida State Capitol Feb 8, 2012

Florida poised to lead the Southeast just a few years ago  

 A FEW REPORTS

After reviewing the reports and studies below, one can't help but ask, how did  we come to where we are today, after so much promise. How did our policy go in such a direction when we have  such clear  evidence of our states ability to lead in renewable energy production?

Florida Renewable Energy Assessment ( Navigant Study)Florida Renewable Energy Assessment ( Navigant Study)

REVIEW POTENTIAL METHODS OF ENCOURAGING RENEWABLE ENERGY THAT MINIMIZE THE ECONOMIC IMPACT ON UTILITY RATEPAYERS ( A REPORTBY THE FLORIDA SENATE completed Oct 2010) 

What  Some of Our  Presidents Have Said About Energy

  - the take  away, by Michael Dobson, FREPA President-

Please view the various videos below.

I think, you will find  them somewhat fascinating. In 1973, President Nixon faced an oil embargo that forced him to focus on energy. President Carter warned the nation that because the gas lines were no longer present that we were not out of the woods and that we needed to tackle energy policy by investing in new energy sources. The Florida Solar Energy Center is a part of that legacy.  Both President Bush's accepted Climate Change science while also being considered major oil men, which (with the exception of T. Boone Pickens) by todays standards, would seem odd by many. President Nixon asked us not to be afraid to pursue nuclear energy and made the case for the investments needed to embrace newer technologies ( nuclear was considered dangerous then, and dangerous now). He promoted nuclear, more domestic drilling and an all of above approach.  In all cases, the Presidents new that continuing to rely on fossil fuel was foolhearted, particularly relying on imported oil. My sense also is that all presidents believed that we needed to increase domestic oil production to wean us away from foreign dependence, while also acknowledging that would not be enough. It seems that all presidents saw the need to make the investments  no matter the political party.  In many cases, in there eras,   we wanted to do big things. We wanted to build a space program, we wanted to bill an Alaskan oil pipeline, we wanted to lead. Did we have a sense of pride about who we were as a nation then that we no longer have? We actually wanted to compete for greatness then. Today, we are okay with allowing china to corner the solar market for no good reason accept for partisan opposition toward embracing clean technologies enough to make the longterm  investments.

 Yes! Somehow today,  energy has become a partisan issue. Even if you do not believe in Climate Change science or Global Warming (for  whatever reason),  most rational people would have to admit that  releasing poisons into the atmosphere certainly cannot be good, and surely has to have an effect on  the environment in a negative way. Even those who don't believe in the science, agree that it is implausible that the earths atmosphere was made to simply absorb the poisons without any side effects. In truth,  our children and grandchildren will bear the brunt of it. And,  doing nothing will continue to be bad for our national security and we will remain hamstrung to the oil cartel. ... not to mention the finite nature of fossil fuel. 

 In conversations with policy leaders , I have often wondered if the pastisan nature of the energy debate is noting more than what I call " the ghost of Al Gore and the 2000 presidential election". Could it be that because Global Warming and Climate Change is so closely aligned to Al Gore... that partisans view allowing  renewable energy  policy to flourish is nothing more than allowing a win for Al Gore. And that doing so,  allows the guy who lost the most devisive political race in our history the ability to write the most radical change in energy policy from the sidelines, and doing so after Presidents have grappled with this issue for half a century or more. After all, this is the guy who some suggest claimed that the movie "Love Story" was about him and Tipper. Would allowing Cap-n-Trade, a National Renewable Energy Standard and the likes be akin to allowing Al Gore a win after all? Conspiracy theory? Maybe! Or, perhaps as some politicians look to return back to the legacy of Ronald Reagan, that legacy includes a disregard for an energy policy that promoted renewable energy technologies. As you may remember,  Reagan famously removed the solar panels from a roof at the White House installed by Jimmy Carter shortly upon taking office.. read HERE. In the videos below, particularly the one whereby Reagan was interviewed as Governor of California, you do get a sense that, to his credit, his views  came to him from a core set of beliefs and was not mere politics. However, history would bare out their faulty   assumptions.. as history does. The interview also interestingly brings to mind the recent debate in Florida about highspeed rail. President Kennedy talked about what is possible, how we can lead and why we needed to do big things. He talked about what being American is all about.

As recently as  2006- 2008  many post Obama Republicans agreed that Climate Change was real and that investing in renewable technologies was a responsible strategy for our nation. Did someone float a memo around that said Anti Climate Change rhetoric can solidify a base of voters.. so lets use it? Did the push poll indicate that  coupled with it being Al Gores idea, it would really drive the base? Simply, when and why did it become such a partisan idea when its really about our nations security,competitiveness, our environment, our children, jobs  and ability to innovate.  

We are hoping that  our leaders will  be statesmen on energy policy again. Our country needs to embrace the possible again so that we can lead, so we can innovate, so we can get Americas working again.

President Bill Clinton on Climate Change in 1998

President Obama Speaks on American Energy

President Obama Weekly Address: Taking Control of Energy Future

View Here

President Richard Nixon on the Environment in 1970

President George W. Bush on Climate Change in 2008

Bush Climate Change Proposal

President Richard Nixon's Energy Initiatives

50 Years Ago, President LBJ on Climate Change

Ronald Reagan: Dismantle the Depts. of Education and Energy

President George H. W. Bush on Climate Change in 1990

Ronald Reagan on Energy, Environment, & Ecology

President Kennedy We Choose to Go to the Moon Speech pt2-2 1962 09 12 NASA color 9min