TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Solar group's endorsement of offshore drilling causes controversy

ADVERTISEMENT

By CATHERINE DOLINSKI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 13, 2009

TALLAHASSEE - An association of solar energy businesses in Florida stunned environmentalists last month by declaring its support for offshore oil drilling.

Turns out, some of the trade group's members were just as surprised -- and outraged, since no one consulted or even warned them about it.

For several weeks, the oil industry has touted the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association's embrace of drilling as proof that their proposal is not anti-environment. But at least one member of the solar group has left as a result, one of its board members has resigned and other members are complaining that the drilling stance runs afoul of their core beliefs about renewable energy.

"It's very divisive," said Roger Messenger, a vice president at Vergona/Bowersox Electric in Boca Raton, who left the solar trade group's board in protest. "This has divided the group right down the middle."

The fireworks began when Bruce Kershner, the solar group's executive director, wrote a letter to state House Speaker-designate Dean Cannon about using potential revenues derived from offshore oil drilling to support solar energy. Florida has long prohibited oil and gas exploration in state waters -- up to10 miles off the Gulf Coast -- but Cannon, R-Winter Park, is leading the charge to lift the ban.

Kershner proposed dedicating money that Florida would receive from drilling leases and royalties to fund rebates for people who install solar energy systems at their homes and businesses. The rebate program is so popular that it has a backlog of applicants, but it is running out of money and is scheduled to sunset next year.

Kershner suggested several other green energy initiatives that drilling revenues could support as well.

"Florida Solar Energy Industries Association believes that your proposal has the potential to provide and create a cleaner and wealthier future for Florida," Kershner wrote. "Your plan can also provide a long-term sustainable funding source for the development of vibrant solar programs in the 'Sunshine State.'"

His statements fit neatly into Cannon's argument that lifting the ban can generate money to benefit the environment.

"I was shocked," said Ed Strobel, president of Sunshine Solar Services in Ft. Lauderdale. "There are easier ways to finance solar energy than to do a deal with the devil."

The association, he said, had not given members an opportunity to weigh in on the controversial stance. Strobel, who describes himself as a "green Republican," said he quit the group after it endorsed drilling.

Dan Fieldman, president of Ivan Labs in Jupiter, was equally blunt. "We consider Mr. Kershner's advocacy bordering on professional and fraternal treason," he said via email.

Tuesday, drilling opponents at Progress Florida questioned why Florida Solar Energy Industries Association employs five lobbyists who also represent the oil companies pushing to lift the drilling ban.

All of the lobbyists in question belong to the Southern Strategy Group, one of Tallahassee's most powerful lobbying firms. Messenger, the board member who gave up his post, said that one of the lobbyists spoke directly to the board about drilling during a conference call.

Kershner said the Southern Strategy Group has represented his association for years and has been effective at winning funding for solar initiatives. But the lobbyists did not pressure Kershner or the group to support oil drilling, Kershner said. "They work for us."

Kershner recounted Florida's on-again, off-again history of funding solar energy initiatives, which he said has held the industry back. The solar energy association decided to contact Cannon, Kershner said, after learning of the lawmaker's professed interest in supporting renewable energy programs with drilling revenue.

Kershner also stressed that the letter to Cannon was one of conditional support. At the board's direction, he said, he emphasized that the group's endorsement hinges on the highest and best standards for safety, materials and labor practices, prohibition of permanent drilling structures and other criteria -- including dedication of as-yet-unspecified revenues to alternative energy programs.

"We're not talking numbers yet," Kershner said. "We're talking conceptually, about an idea."

Messenger said that "idea" was never approved by the board, which voted only to consider supporting drilling once it received input from environmentalists and other stakeholders.

Kershner disputed that, saying the board's motion was worded more strongly in favor of lifting the ban. Messenger, Kershner said, also missed a teleconference during which the board reviewed the letter prior to sending it to Cannon.

"Unfortunately this whole issue has gotten blown out of perspective," Kershner said. "This was a position the board took to advance solar energy in the state of Florida."

Reporter Catherine Dolinski can be reached at (850) 222-8382.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT