Recap – Governor’s Action Team on Energy and Climate Change

On October 29 and 30, 2007, a member of this Firm attended meetings of the Governor’s Action Team on Energy and Climate Change (“Action Team”), which took place in Tallahassee, Florida.  The Action Team discussed the details of Florida’s Energy and Climate Change Action Plan (“Plan”) pursuant to Executive Order 07-128.  The Action Team is comprised of 21 members and is charged with creating a Plan that will include strategies in and beyond the Governor’s Executive Orders to reduce emissions, including recommendations for proposed legislation to be considered during the 2008 Legislative Session and beyond. 

 

Discussions on October 29, 2007

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Action Team Chairman, Michael Sole, provided brief opening remarks following the adoption of the previous meeting minutes.  Day 1 included presentations by Government officials, state agency staff members, and other interested parties including the public.  Following the presentations, the Action Team began to review and amend the draft findings and recommendations for the November 1, 2007 report to the Governor. 
                       
The following presentations were provided to the Action Team:

1. Jeremy Susac, Director of the Florida Energy Office- Understanding alternative transportation fuels: Issues and Opportunities;

2. Josh Yaffin, Strategic Program Director, Department of Management Services and Rick Baker, Mayor of the City of St. Petersburg- Government Sector Emissions: Current Status and Next Steps;

3. Stephen Adams, Action Team Staff Director- Overview of Energy Programs in State Government;

4. Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson- Update on Florida agriculture and energy including the farm to fuel program;

5. Jeremy Susac- Florida’s Energy Grants;

6. Dr. R.E. Lemon and Chris Kinsley- Energy Research Programs in Florida’s University System;

7. Tommy Boroughs, Florida Energy Commission Chairman- Update on the Florida Energy Commission; and

8. Public Testimony- Several speakers discussed several renewable energy options for fuel and electric generation such as bioenergy, bioalgae, and various crops.

The Action Team next considered the draft items that are to be included in the November 1, 2007 report as presented by Stephen Adams.  The Action Team concluded that regulatory certainty is paramount for a good long term energy policy and that the report should include policy guidelines that stimulate economic security, achieve energy security and address global climate change.

 

Discussions on October 30, 2007

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Chairman Sole opened the second day of the meeting and noted that staff members were making corrections and amendments to the draft report based on the comments from yesterday’s meeting.  Staff members will make final adjustments following today’s meeting and will have the report available to Action Team members on October 31, 2007, before submitting the final report to the Governor on November 1, 2007.

The Action Team discussed, took public testimony and adopted changes to their findings and recommendations in the following areas outlined in the report: 

Transportation Sector

The Action Team discussed strategies for reducing the greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles.  The report finds that transportation is a significant contributor to GHG emissions in Florida, accounting for about 46 percent of CO2 emissions statewide.  The recommendations discussed include reducing growth in travel, increasing transportation system efficiency and changing land use patterns.

Next, the Action Team discussed strategies for increasing the amount of renewable transportation fuels and for reducing the carbon content of fuels, such as a low carbon fuel standard.  During the discussion, Chairman Sole stated that the Governor and Department of Environmental Protection is moving forward with rule making to adopt the California emissions standards in Florida.  Several speakers commented on the viability of renewable fuels.  The Action Team concluded that renewable fuels will continue to need government subsidies and tax incentives to be an option in Florida.

The Action Team adopted the findings and recommendations as amended during the meeting for the transportation sector. 

Power Generation Sector

The Action Team discussed the following strategies regarding the power generation sector: (1) to diversify Florida’s electric generation fuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect Florida’s consumers from fuel price volatility; (2) policies for emission reporting and registry that measure and document emission reductions; (3) policies to reward early emission reductions in advance of statewide or national greenhouse gas regulatory programs; and (4) other policies for efficiently reducing emissions in Florida in conjunction with, or independent of, regional, national or international agreements.  The Action Team finds that fuel diversity, including nuclear power, and renewable generation are critical components to electric generation and recommends further examining nuclear power and encouraging power companies to work together to provide a diverse fuel mix.   The Action Team also discussed requiring utilities to report greenhouse gas emission reductions.  Following the discussion, the Action Team approved the findings and recommendations as amended.

However, the Action Team thoroughly discussed and voted to table several items that involve Florida taking a position on federal proposals relating to climate change.  The Action Team concurred that Florida should move forward in doing what is in the state’s best interest so long as they do not violate federal law. 

Government Sector

The Action Team briefly discussed and approved the findings and recommendations relating to policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from state and local governments not addressed in Executive Order 07-126.  

Organizing Florida’s Energy Future

Finally, the Action Team discussed the findings and recommendations relating to the strategies and mechanisms for the consolidation and coordination of energy policy in Florida.  The Action Team finds that Florida cannot meet its energy efficiency goals independently and recommends fostering a positive public-private partnership.  The Action team approved the findings and recommendations with amendments.  However, they tabled one item relating to establishing a central entity to serve as a clearinghouse for alternative fuel and development occurring in the state.

 

There being no further business before the Action Team, the meeting concluded.  Chairman Sole noted that the next meeting will likely be held in January 2008. 

 

 

 

The above information is intended to be a brief summary of the discussions during the meetings and is not intended to be a comprehensive review of the issues contained herein.  Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact this office.