It only makes sense that the Sunshine State would have a feud about solar energy. Floridians may be choosing between two rival solar energy amendments during the 2016 election.
On Wednesday, a group called Consumers for Smart Solar announced it will be seeking out 700,000 signatures on a petition to place its solar energy amendment on the 2016 ballot. Its aim is to stop another proposal that also involved solar power. The group includes two past Florida legislators, but it is unclear where the complete financial backing is coming from for the group.
The other, proposed by Floridians for Solar Choice, would prevent the state from regulating small, private solar companies that provide up to two megawatts of solar energy to properties that border them. Consumers for Smart Solar argue that this amendment would block solar energy from having access to consumer protection regulations.
Jim Kallinger, chairman of Consumers for Smart Solar, described the amendment pushed by Floridians for Solar Choice was “dangerous” because it would block regulation of solar power. His group’s proposal allows homeowners to own or lease solar equipment in order to power their homes, while permitting the state government to continue to regulate it.
Tory Perfetti, a chairman of Floridians For Solar Choice, said that the rival group “appears to be a very slickly devised campaign to potentially confuse voters.” He questions the group’s motives and members.
However, Floridians for Solar Choice is already encountering a hurdle: Attorney General Pam Bondi asked the Florida Supreme Court to block its amendment. Bondi’s office asserts that ballot summary on the initiative is “vague, misleading, uses language that’s emotional rather than factual and deals with more than one subject”, according to the Associated Press.
However, before either amendment becomes reality the proposals must gain all needed signatures, have their language signed off on by the Florida Supreme Court, and then win over 60% of voters.
Solar energy is becoming a significant part of power in the United States, and Florida is participating in its use. It will be interesting to see how solar powered homes and solar energy development affects homes and real estate in Miami and Florida as a whole.
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