Thursday Apr 15, 2010

Generating 700 megawatts of increased solar-power output would create 40,000 jobs and expand economic activity in Florida by $8.1 billion, a new study says.

The report by the Washington Economics Group helped to fuel support for Senate Bill 1186, which the Senate Energy Committee passed Wednesday.

Representatives from the renewable energy, construction and manufacturing sectors touted the financial projections, and urged lawmakers to "remove the barriers to a clean energy industry."

"We've watched clean energy companies overlook Florida for years and have been frustrated by the Legislature's inaction. That has to change this session," said Rich Paul-Hus, senior vice president at Hypower, a Fort Lauderdale-based energy concern.

To facilitate the development of renewable-energy projects, Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, amended SB 1186 to direct that "all prudently incurred costs of renewable energy shall be recoverable from electric utility customers through an environmental cost recovery clause."

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Sunshine State News