By a vote of 117-0, the House approved with little debate, save some concerns regarding notification requirements to homeowners near areas sited for new power lines and on Friday a provision preventing local governments from in any way curbing the use of plastic bags by retailers.
Rep. Stan Mayfield, a Vero Beach Republican who sponsored the legislation, said the bill was the culmination of a two-year process that had resulted in the passage of legislation last year that was vetoed by Gov. Charlie Crist, who said it didn't go far enough.
''At first I didn't really agree with him, but . . . I think he was right. His veto made us refocus our efforts specifically climate change and a [renewable portfolio standard],'' Mayfield said. ``I really think we struck a balance.''
Crist, who made reducing green-house gases a top priority with the signing of three executive orders last summer, is likely to sign the legislation, which he praised Tuesday.
He also announced a second climate summit in June in Miami Beach to focus on spurring the development of clean technology in Florida and to draw more business into the climate change movement. The bill is expected to pass the Senate on Wednesday.
BOLD STRIDE
Environmentalists and the business lobby said the legislation was a bold stride toward a greener future that still leaves time to consider the costs of some of the plan's most ambitious measures, notably the formulation of a goal to have the state's utilities generate a certain percentage of electricity with power from renewable sources like solar and wind.
It also positions Florida to take advantage of federal legislation expected in the next few years that will create a cap-and-trade market for carbon emission credits.
RATE IMPACT
For now, consumers are safe from inevitable rate hikes that will pay for the expensive greening of Florida, although the legislation does create new ways for the utilities to charge more for electricity. Any goals leading to rate hikes will have to be approved by lawmakers next year.
New buildings and homes will also have to meet new efficiency standards under the legislation, starting with 20 percent greater efficiency by 2010 up to 50 percent by 2019.
While environmentalists mostly support the legislation, some groups take issue with provisions that fast track the siting of new nuclear power plants and transmission lines. Generally, they discourage the use of nuclear power because of its costs, radioactive waste, and the large amounts of water needed needed to produce it.
The bill also allows utilities to charge consumers for the preconstruction cost of new transmission lines that serve nuclear facilities.
Melissa Meehan, organizer for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, said the measure shifts more risks and costs onto rate-payers.
The environmental community was pleased with House language that creates incentives for power companies to sell less power and allows the Public Service Commission to set more aggressive efficiency targets for individual utilities, said Susan Glickman, US Southern Region Director for The Climate Group, a London-based nonprofit.
Utilities would be able to offset 20 percent of new demand for power with increased energy efficiency and would be able to charge consumers for the investment -- and receive a rate of return of about a half a percentage point, which could mean tens of millions of dollars.
