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Don't Back Off Renewable Goals

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By TOM LARSON

Special to the Tribune

Published: February 20, 2009

The Tampa Tribune's recent editorial on Sen. Jeff Bingaman's (D-N.M.) proposed renewable electricity standard rightfully applauds diversifying our country's energy mix with renewable resources that will create new economic opportunities and jobs in Florida.

However, the Tribune describes refuse-to-energy facilities as Florida's primary source of renewable energy and suggests that federal renewable energy policy will burden ratepayers with the cost of purchasing credits from other renewable-rich regions of the county.

Florida is rich in a variety of renewables, and the state can develop its own homegrown renewable energy resources. The Sunshine State's ample solar and bioenergy resources will help utilities meet a national Renewable Energy Standard.

The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy's analysis shows that Florida can meet a 20 percent renewable energy target by 2020 using the state's own resources. It is true that refuse-to-energy accounts for about half of Florida's alternative energy generation today. Looking forward, however, other renewable energy resources will grow much faster than refuse-to-energy can be expected to deliver.

It's time to retire the weary refrain of "no, we can't." The truth is that Florida sunshine can power forest, farms and rooftops toward meeting a national renewable electricity standard, and doing so will provide numerous economic opportunities for the state.

Tom Larson is Florida energy policy manager for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.

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