Clean Energy Requirement Would Generate Local Jobs

Some environmental purists are upset that a clean energy bill progressing in the state Senate would allow nuclear and clean coal technology to be counted toward Florida's clean energy production targets.

Critics have a point but should look at the big picture. This compromise measure would significantly advance the state's use of renewable energy, resulting in less pollution, more jobs and greater energy independence.

The measure, passed by the Senate Communications, Energy and Public Utilities Committee on Tuesday would require the state electric utilities to obtain 20 percent of their power from clean energy by 2020.

There is a bit of a fudge factor, the reason some clean-air advocates are upset. It would allow up to 5 percent of that 20 percent goal to be met by nuclear or clean-burning coal.

Opponents stress that nuclear, which produces radioactive waste, is not a clean or renewable energy source and that coal pollutes when it is mined and when burned. Moreover, though advances have been made in sanitizing coal power, even the cleanest operations produce greenhouse gases. Efforts to "sequester" the gases underground are still experimental.

Opponents are correct, but a bit overwrought. Nuclear is an exceptionally clean energy source. Protocols exist to safely store the waste, though eventually the nation should recycle it as is in done in Europe, where nuclear is a safe and reliable energy source.

Including coal in the target is more troublesome. The nation has an abundance of coal and it does make sense to pursue clean-coal technology, but it should not be part of the clean-energy targets.

But the reality is that legislation shepherded through the panel by its chairman, Sen. Jim King, would require the bulk of new energy sources to come from solar, wind and other renewable sources.

The nuclear and clean coal could account for no more than 5 percent and it is unlikely it would account for that much. The bill would provide no money for nuclear or coal, while it would help fund the development of renewables.

The legislation requires the target to be new sources, so utilities could not count existing nuclear operations toward that target. If adopted, few, if any, plans for new nuclear or coal operations are likely to be developed in time to be counted toward the 20 percent standard,

And the measure, whatever its shortcomings, takes significant steps. It caps the amount a utility could spend to meet the clean energy goals to 2 percent of their annual revenues, about $370 million, which would lessen the impact on customers.

To help fund the transition to clean energy, the legislation would also raise the state's gasoline tax by a penny, though some of that roughly $90 million in new revenue would go to the general fund, where it is badly needed.

The tax provision is controversial, and there is a possibility it eventually will be dropped. If so, the state would instead rely on federal stimulus funds for the conversion.

That would be acceptable. But Florida needs to aggressively pursue clean energy.

This is not a matter of simply cleansing the atmosphere, a worthy goal. But even more important, renewable energy would energize the state's economy.

Solar, biomass, wave and other renewables are all homegrown industries that will generate jobs and support businesses - while diminishing the state's vulnerability to fluctuating world oil prices.

One recent study showed that 85 percent of the money spent on generating biomass power remains within a 75-mile radius of the plant. Another study found 25 jobs are created by every megawatt of solar power capacity developed.

And yet electric costs in states that already have renewable energy standards have increased by less than 1 percent, according to a report by the Lawrence Berkeley laboratory.

There are challenges, to be sure. The state shouldn't be starry-eyed about the change. This legislation may be imperfect, but it also looks to provide a solid and affordable framework for generating jobs and clean energy in Florida.