Dancing to the strains of “Let the Sunshine In” from Hair and the Beatles’ “Here Comes The Sun,” a handful of solar power advocates did a little dance and then shone small mirrors toward Duke Energy's headquarters in downtown St. Petersburg this morning.
But unlike so many other events held in Williams Park, this wasn't an event bashing Duke. Instead, activists were calling for more clarification from gubernatorial candidates Rick Scott and Charlie Crist on their plans for solar power.
"We want a governor that is going to favor solar energy over Duke Energy's plan to keep charging customers for coal, or gas and for nuclear power plants," said Greenpeace's Kate Melges, who coordinated the press event. "We really need someone who's really going to embrace solar and renewable energy in Florida."
Melges argues that while the two candidates have disagreed on climate change, electricity rates and utility companies, neither man has said specifically what he would do to support clean, renewable energy.
But doesn't Charlie Crist espouse the benefits of solar power in nearly every campaign stump speech, we asked Melges?
"Charlie Crist has been very supportive but I haven't heard specifics that he can be held accountable to if elected. What will he do policy-wise on solar if he's elected?" she says.
Crist's tenure from 2007-2011 included some environmental achievements, such as signing a renewable energy law that allowed utilities to build solar or wind projects without going through the normal regulatory review process.
Regarding Rick Scott, Melges said, "I'm not completely convinced — and I don't think he's convinced — that solar energy is something we should be investing in in Florida. I think he's made that clear." She cites Scott's 30-minute briefing with climate scientists in August and the lack of follow-up meeting as her evidence, as well as financial campaign contributions he's taken from Duke. "It's pretty clear where he sits, but it would be nice to hear specifically since this is an issue that is obviously important in the election and a lot of Floridians care about what he will do to work toward renewable energy if he's elected."
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, Florida ranks third in the nation in solar energy potential, but is 12th in the nation in terms of cumulative solar capacity. It is 18th in the nation in solar energy capacity.
Meanwhile, NextGen Climate Florida, the Tom Steyer-based PAC that is spending millions of dollars in Florida to oust Rick Scott, announced today that it has distributed hundreds of signs highlighting Governor Scott’s relationship with Duke Energy, a utility company it says "is gouging its ratepayers."
The signs call on Scott to return the $1.2 million he has received in campaign contributions from Duke Energy.
Last Monday the group Florida’s Clean Future delivered a petition signed by over 92,000 Floridians calling on the governor to invest in a plan for emissions reductions from power plants.
“It’s time we put a clean power plan in place for Florida that cleans up dirty coal fired power plants, saves our homes and businesses money through energy efficiency, and invests in clean solar power to create more jobs right here in Florida,” the petition reads. “We need protection from pollution. We need you to support strong limits on industrial carbon pollution from dirty power plants, promote investment in energy efficiency, and lead the Sunshine State to a bright solar future. We need a strong plan.”
