Last Stand opposes Florida Amendment One and is recommending a NO vote on November 8th.
This Amendment, titled the “Rights of Electricity Consumers Regarding Solar Energy Choice,” was drafted by statewide utilities in order to control how Floridians can install and use solar panels on their own properties. The campaign to pass the Amendment is funded by Florida Power and Light, Duke Energy and Tampa Electric and is designed to protect their monopoly markets and profits. Florida is one of only five states that specifically prohibit companies from installing solar panels on homes or businesses and then selling the power directly to the consumer, bypassing the utilities.
These utilities want the constitution to perpetuate their strangle hold on the right to sell electricity even if the effect is to restrict expansion of solar power installations throughout the state. The result of the status quo? The Sunshine State has the fourth largest potential for solar power, but currently ranks 14th among the states in actual solar installations.
Amendment One will make this state of affairs permanent by putting the language in the Florida constitution. It paves the way for additional fees even though solar power generators provide a net benefit for the utility and all electricity customers. There is no cost to the utilities when consumers choose to go solar. Excess electricity generated by solar consumers provides additional power to the electric grid at no cost to the utilities’ customers.
Florida doesn’t need Amendment One. Existing law gives Floridians the right to purchase or lease solar equipment and allows net metering, where utilities credit a retail rate to customers generating excess solar power that is returned to the electric grid. The false promises of additional rights are designed to gain support for the Amendment, not to grow the use of solar power in Florida.
The constitutional changes in Amendment One are not in the best interest of Florida residents. Last Stand joins a large bipartisan group of organizations recommending a NO vote for Amendment One.
Mark Songer, President
Last Stand
