The Grass Roots Pushing Florida Constitutional Amendment Ballot Initiative To Grow Solar Power

November 28th, 2015 by Cynthia Shahan

What I love about Florida is the torrential downpours of summer afternoons that break through the intensity of the never-ending brilliant sunshine. The ocean is not far from wherever one lives — jutting out into some of the most emerald green-blue waters lit up by nearly constant sunshine over the Gulf. What I love about Floridians is the penchant for grass-roots efforts to make Florida better — in the case of this story, the Florida constitutional amendment ballot initiative to support more solar power in the state.

What is disturbing about Florida is that Florida is one of only four states in the United States that prohibit citizens from buying electricity from companies that will install solar panels on your home or business. One thinks, “What on earth, are politicians thinking? Are they thinking?”

How can this “Sunshine State” be so thwarted on clean air goals, clean water objectives, and utilizing the free solar resources we are gifted. This prohibition limits customer choice and blocks the growth of this abundant, clean, domestic energy source.





A non-partisan collaboration called “Floridians for Solar Choice” is trying to change things. The group is a grassroots citizens’ coalition promoting a Florida constitutional amendment ballot initiative that would give Florida families and businesses the right to choose solar power — but the amendment needs 683,000 signatures to allow Floridians to vote on this issue.

Policies in place make Florida seem a bit dull to be not using the resource the state has in such an immense quantity — a resource that seems limitless and is all clean energy. I’ve signed the petition and hope you do, too.

Don’t allow Florida to be at the low ebb of progress. The light should beget light power — and can do so easily if we can change policy and politics that are protecting the old systems and stopping progress. Outdated structures need to adapt to the game-changing renewable option that protects Florida’s environment as it cools and lights Florida’s homes.

Dirty energy should be, could be, on the way out. Time is for Floridians to recognize how to reverse environmental problems with renewable energy — in particular, solar energy in the Sunshine State.

In stride with progress, Central Florida’s First GREEN Bank is the first bank of its kind to promote positive environmental and social responsibility — while operating as a traditional community bank. It is a major supporter of Floridians for Solar Choice. It joins numerous other organizations and companies working for this new solar option. In “Florida Supreme Court Approves Solar Power Initiative,” Jake Richardson points out:

It appears that the advocacy work being done by organizations like Floridians for Solar Choice is gradually shifting attitudes. Just take a look at all the organizations supporting FSC:

350.org

All WoMen Rising

Audubon Society of the Everglades

Clean Water Action

The Cleo Institute

The Climate Reality Project

Collier Citizens for Sustainability

Conservancy of Southwest Florida

Conservatives for Responsible Stewardship

Earth Ethics, Inc.

Earthjustice

Ecology Party of Florida

Environmental Coalition of Miami & the Beaches (ECOMB)

Environmental Defense Fund

Environment Florida

Evangelical Environmental Network

Florida Alliance for Retired Americans

Florida Green Chamber of Commerce

Florida Renewable Energy Association (FREA)

Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association

Florida Wildlife Federation

Friends of the Everglades

Green Party of Florida

Greenpeace USA

H & H Design and Construction Inc.

Hands Across the Sand

IDEAS for Us

Interfaith Justice League

League of Women Voters of Florida

Libertarian Party of Seminole County

Mosaic

Oceana

Organize Now

Physicians for Social Responsibility, Florida

Progress Florida

ReThink Energy Florida

Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation

SEIA

Sierra Club Florida

South Florida Audubon Society

South Florida Wildlands Association

Space Coast Climate Change Initiative

Space Coast Progressive Alliance

Stewards Of Sustainability (SoS)

Sunshine State Interfaith Power and Light

Surfrider Foundation

The Tea Party Network

Tropical Audubon Society

Venice Area Audubon Society

Women4Solar

WISE – Women in Solar Energy

Related Stories:

Florida Supreme Court Approves Solar Power Initiative

Tesla Battery Used At Duke Energy Florida

Image: Florida Solar Panels by Cynthia Shahan | CleanTechnica









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