Florida lawmakers have approved sweeping energy legislation that requires the state's Public Service Commission to develop rules for a renewable portfolio standard, subject to legislative ratification in the 2009 regular session. Both the House and Senate unanimously adopted HB 7135, which authorizes the state's Department of Environmental Protection to develop a cap-and-trade regulatory program as a means to reduce the state's greenhouse gas emissions. The measure also creates a renewable fuel standard and a renewable portfolio standard that gives added weight to wind and solar energy over other forms of renewable energy. And it boosts the energy efficiency requirements for appliances and building codes for newly constructed commercial and residential buildings.

Highlights of the bill include:

• Creation of the Florida Energy and Climate Commission (FECC) within the Governor's office to centralize energy and climate change policy development and program implementation.
• Creates a "10 by 10" Renewable Fuel Standard requiring that all gasoline sold for motor vehicles in Florida contain 10 percent ethanol in 2010.
• Requires the Public Service Commission (PSC) to Creates the Florida Energy Systems Consortium within the State University System to better coordinate energy-related research in support of Florida’s energy and climate change policy objectives.
• Requires state, regional and local government entities to comply with a nationally recognized high-performance green building rating system for new construction. 
• Extends and clarifies certain investment and production tax credits and sales tax exemptions for renewable energy technologies and equipment.

Gov. Charlie Crist is expected to sign HB 7135 next month when the measure will serve as a backdrop for the 2008 Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate Change hosted by the governor June 25-26, 2008 in Miami. The summit will explore opportunities for expanding Florida’s renewable and alternative energy marketplace.

For more information on the summit, go to http://www.myfloridaclimate.com/env/home/.

A summary of the HB7135 can be read and downloaded at http://www.25x25.org/floridaenergybill. To read the bill, go to http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/hb7135text