Energy Independence

The FAC Energy Independence Workgroup is a group of County Commissioners appointed by the President to advise the Growth, Environmental Planning, and Agriculture Policy Committee on energy policy. The group will also serve as a forum for information-sharing, so that counties can learn from the best energy practices of other counties. The group will explore renewable technologies and examine federal and state law to ensure that renewables are encouraged and incentivized, making policy recommendations where that is not the case. 

2009-10 Energy Independence Workgroup Members 


PACE Resolutions
Broward Pace Resolution.pdf
Miami Dade PACE Resolution.pdf
Charlotte County PACE Resolution.pdf

Offshore Drilling

The Florida House of Representatives considered lifting the current ban on drilling for oil and gas in state waters in HB 1219 during the 2009 Regular Session. While the Senate did not take this issue up during the legislative session, the House will be filing a similar piece of legislation for consideration during the 2010 Regular Session, and Senator Haridopolos has indicated that he will file a Senate companion bill as well. Because this is a complex and controversial issue, FAC has devoted a significant amount of time to educating our members on this issue and drafting a policy statement that considers the diverse interests of all of Florida’s counties. We are keeping track of local resolutions and letters on this issue, and will be posting them here as we receive them.

 On Friday, November 13 FAC hosted a webinar on Oil & Gas Drilling with presenters from the Florida Energy Associates, Apalachicola Riverkeeper and Mote Marine Laboratory.  To view these presentations visit the presentation materials section of our website or click here.

 

Energy Finance Districts

During the Energy Independence Workgroup at the FAC Legislative Conference last week, there was a discussion of energy finance districts.In an nutshell, the concept involves local governments fronting money to homeowners for renewable energy and/or energy efficiency projects, which would then be repaid on the property tax bill.This would be a purely voluntary program – counties would have the option of creating such a district, and homeowners would then have the option of whether to participate.There are some details that still need to be worked out.However, there was a significant amount of interest in the issue, and several commissioners indicated their interest in pursuing specific statutory authorization for these districts.

Because of the level of interest, click here for Paul D’Arellis’ white paper on the issue.Paul is with Berger Singerman in Ft. Lauderdale and gave a presentation to the Energy Independence Workgroup last week.Both legislative energy committees will be discussing economic incentives for implementing energy policy during the committee weeks in January and February.

To that end, please let Diana Ferguson know if you have dedicated a county or contract lobbyist to working on this issue or if your county is interested in Energy Finance Districts.

 

August 27-28, 2009  Meeting in Alachua County

June 23, 2009 Meeting at FAC Annual Conference

Sustainable Communities

Sustainable Communities Article by Randy Reid

County Energy Efficiency and Conservation Efforts

County Energy Efficiency and Conservation Efforts 2-11-09
This document was prepared for the 2009 Legislative Session and distributed to key members of the Legislature and their staff. It details the energy efforts of counties, including awards received and innovative projects undertaken.

Request for Proposals

Launching a Community Energy Alliance
From The Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance

National Association of Counties Energy Links

Federal Energy Efficiency Grants
NACo supports full funding of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program to state and local governments. On December 19, 2007, President Bush signed into law The Energy Independence and Security Act (H.R. 6). H.R. 6 included a new grant program for state and local governments called the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program. This program authorizes $2 billion annually over five years to primarily help larger populated cities and counties address energy efficiency and emissions concerns based on allocation levels. While the Program has been authorized, the money has yet to be appropriated.
Energy Efficiency Grant Fact Sheet

NACo Green Government Initiative
Launched in 2007, the NACo Green Government Initiative provides comprehensive resources for local governments on all things green, including energy, air quality, transportation, water quality, land use, purchasing and recycling. NACo serves as a catalyst between local governments and the private sector to facilitate green government best practices, products and policies that result in financial and environmental savings. Through the Initiative, NACo will: increase education and outreach on all things green; help educate counties and help them educate the public; promote environmentally-preferable purchasing; facilitate an open dialogue with the private sector; and reverse misinformed opinions that green techniques are too costly or of lesser quality.
For NACo’s Green Government Database and other Green Information

NACo Electronic Green Government Network
Sign up and be the first to know about how counties are going green. The NACo Electronic Green Government Network is a source for information on all things green for county officials, staff, and public and private companies with an interest in learning about county activities in this area. In addition to an electronic Green Government Newsletter, the network receives periodic emails from NACo on green government best practices, announcements of new publications and resources, and upcoming trainings, workshops, and funding opportunities.
Electronic Green Government Network Sign-in Form

Helpful Energy Independence Links

International Council for Local Government Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) – Local Governments for Sustainability
ICLEI is an international association of local governments as well as national and regional local government organizations that have made a commitment to sustainable development. Over 955 cities, towns, counties, and their associations worldwide compromise ICLEI’s growing membership. ICLEI works with these and hundreds of other local governments through international performance-based, results-oriented campaigns and programs. ICLEI provides technical consulting, training, and information services to build capacity, share knowledge, and support local government in the implementation of sustainable development at the local level. Their premise is that locally designed initiatives can provide and effective and cost-efficient way to achieve, local, national, and global sustainability objectives. As the international sustainable development and environmental agency for local governments, ICLEI provides information, delivers training, organizes conferences, facilitates networking and city-to-city exchanges, carries out research and pilot projects, and offers technical services and consultancy. They also provide software and tools to help local governments achieve their sustainable development goals.
Click here For More Information

Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX)
CCX is a financial institution whose objectives are to apply financial innovation and incentives to advance social, environmental, and economic goals. CCX is North America’s only and the world’s first global marketplace for integrating voluntary legally binding emissions reductions with emissions trading and offsets for all six greenhouse gases.
Click here For More Information

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Program for Resource Efficient Communities
The IFAS Program for Resources Efficient Communities promotes the adoption of best design, construction, and management practices in new residential community developments that measurably reduce energy, water consumption, and environmental degradation.
Click here For More Information

Florida Governor’s Action Team on Energy and Climate Change
Governor Crist established the Action Team on Energy and Climate Change by signing Executive Order 07-128, “Florida Governor’s Action Team on Energy and Climate Change,” on July 13, 2007. Since that time the Governor appointed 27 team members and one ex officio member, who serve at the pleasure of the Governor. Team members are tasked with creating a Florida Climate Change Action Plan that will include strategies beyond the Governor's Executive Orders to reduce emissions, including recommendations for proposed legislation for consideration by the Florida Legislature.
Click here For More Information



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