The Critics’ Pick for Best Florida Legislation: PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) bill
We’re not sure how this happened, but somehow the Florida legislature passed HB 7179, the PACE bill, giving local governments the authority to create a mechanism for up-front financing for energy conservation, energy efficiency, renewable energy and wind mitigation to actual residents’ homes, as well as commercial or industrial property. The payback is generated by energy savings over time, and paid through a non ad-valorem assessment (i.e. you’ll pay it along with your tax bill but it’s not really a tax).
Check out the rest of the winners from the BOTB 2010 Readers’ Poll and Critics’ Picks.
This article appears in Sep 16-22, 2010.