Item N01
2
CM
ounty of onroe
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Mayor Heather Carruthers, District 3
Mayor Pro Tem George Neugent, District 2
TheFloridaKeys
Danny L. Kolhage, District 1
David Rice, District 4
Sylvia J. Murphy, District 5
County Commission Meeting
October 19, 2016
Agenda Item Number: N.1
Agenda Item Summary #2114
BULK ITEM: DEPARTMENT:
Yes BOCC District 3
TIME APPROXIMATE:STAFF CONTACT:
Rhonda Haag (305) 453-8774
None
AGENDA ITEM WORDING:
A Resolution of the Board of County Commissioners opposing
Amendment 1 which would authorize the Florida Legislature to diminish access or reduce the
economic competitiveness of solar investments, effective January 1, 2018. Amendment No. 1 will
be presented to Florida voters at the November 8, 2016 election.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
The SE FL Climate Change Compact Counties 2016 State Energy and
Climate Legislative Program specifically OPPOSES any weakening of existing net metering
policies. Monroe County has shown a commitment to energy reduction and has met and exceeded
the emissions reduction goal of 20% below 2005 levels by 2020 (reductions as of the 2012 GHG
inventory report are community 22%, municipal 33%).
Florida has the third-highest potential for rooftop solar energy generation in the United States, but
th
currently ranks 14 in the nation for installed solar capacity, according to the Solar Energy Industry
Association. With 9 million electric utility customer accounts, Florida has less than 12,000
customer-sited solar systems. By comparison, New Jersey has over 43,000 customer-sited solar
systems but only half the population of Florida.
Solar photovoltaic energy offers many potential benefits, including lower electricity costs for
homeowners, businesses, and governments; local jobs and economic development; reduced
dependence on imported fuels; pollution-free electricity generation; no water use during power
production; and contribution to a more resilient electric grid.
power and send any excess power back to the utilities grid. Amendment 1 purports to provide a new
restrictions on existing solar rights in the Florida Constitution, according to Florida Supreme Court
Justice Barbara Pariente in her dissent in an Advisory Opinion to the Attorney General on
Amendment 1.
Amendment 1 will insert in the Florida Constitution an unsupported presumption that solar rooftop
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-solar customers and that such an argument can be used to weaken
Consumers for Smart Solar is primarily bankrolled by
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
Not Applicable
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
Not Applicable
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Approval
DOCUMENTATION:
Resolution opposing solar amendment (Carruthers)
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None
REVIEWED BY:
Rhonda Haag Completed 09/29/2016 1:23 PM
Pedro Mercado Completed 09/29/2016 3:41 PM
Budget and Finance Completed 10/03/2016 8:09 AM
Maria Slavik Completed 10/03/2016 8:34 AM
Kathy Peters Completed 10/03/2016 9:19 AM
Board of County Commissioners Pending 10/19/2016 9:00 AM
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