THE FLORIDA SENATE AprilS, 2011 David Holt ... - Audubon of Florida
THE FLORIDA SENATE SENATOR MIKE HARIDOPOLOS
President
AprilS, 2011
David Holt President Consumer Energy Alliance 2211 Norfolk Street, Suite 614 Houston, TX 77098 Dear David: As the State of Florida tries to move beyond the economic difficulties of the past several years, I have become more and more focused on exploring and adopting comprehensive policies that will advance long-term economic stability while reducing costs to consumers. One critical need to achieve this goal, is that Florida must develop and implement a state whole energy policy that will place the state on a path to ensuring that our families, falrns and businesses have access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy while protecting the environment that is so critical to the our state’s future. Given the weight of these issues for the future of Florida, I appreciate Consumer Energy Alliance reaching out to me with your willingness to lead an effort to gather more facts and input on these issues. Further, I would like to offer my full support for CEA to proceed with an effort that is inclusive of all interested parties, which would culminate in an independent report examining the current and projected energy needs of Florida well into the future. Of particular importance would be for this report to address several long-term issues that Florida faces including: the need to develop renewable and alternative energy sources; how to maintain affordable and reliable electricity supplies; the applicability and challenges of nuclear plants in the state; and the need, supply and possible alternatives for transportation fuels. Additionally, this report should address means to ensure that the state’s energy production and consumption will not threaten our vital natural resources. Certainly, convening a broad array of state and national experts and conducting a thorough analysis of Florida’s energy needs and environmental sensitivities is an enormous undertaking. Recognizing that the legislative session in Florida in 2012 will operate on an accelerated schedule, and also respecting that formulating a comprehensive energy policy for Florida is an endeavor that could well take years to complete, I would respectfully request that CEA plan to present recommendations to Governor Scott, Speaker Cannon and myself no later than SUITE 409, THE CAPITOL, 404 SOUTH MONROE STREET ¯ TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399-1100 ¯ TELEPHONE (850) 487-5229 Senate’s Website: www.flsenate.gov
April 8,2011 Page 2
December 31,2011. As we have discussed, the relationship between job creation, economic gro_wth and rational, balanced energy and envirolmaental policies is direct. Other states have enacted policies that have failed to recognize this relationship--by forcing companies and jobs to move to other regions of the country or overseas tln’ough the imposition of policies that have &iven energy prices tip artificially and restricted growth tlv-ough increasingly burdensome regulatory regimes. In order to avoid the lnistakes that several states have made in this regard, Florida needs to take a critical look at our current and future energy needs and to establish a responsible path towards meeting them. Thank you for your willhagness to help our state in this important process, and I look forward to working with Consumer Energy Alliance to address these issues. Sincerely,
Mike Haridopolos President, Florida Senate
President
AprilS, 2011
David Holt President Consumer Energy Alliance 2211 Norfolk Street, Suite 614 Houston, TX 77098 Dear David: As the State of Florida tries to move beyond the economic difficulties of the past several years, I have become more and more focused on exploring and adopting comprehensive policies that will advance long-term economic stability while reducing costs to consumers. One critical need to achieve this goal, is that Florida must develop and implement a state whole energy policy that will place the state on a path to ensuring that our families, falrns and businesses have access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy while protecting the environment that is so critical to the our state’s future. Given the weight of these issues for the future of Florida, I appreciate Consumer Energy Alliance reaching out to me with your willingness to lead an effort to gather more facts and input on these issues. Further, I would like to offer my full support for CEA to proceed with an effort that is inclusive of all interested parties, which would culminate in an independent report examining the current and projected energy needs of Florida well into the future. Of particular importance would be for this report to address several long-term issues that Florida faces including: the need to develop renewable and alternative energy sources; how to maintain affordable and reliable electricity supplies; the applicability and challenges of nuclear plants in the state; and the need, supply and possible alternatives for transportation fuels. Additionally, this report should address means to ensure that the state’s energy production and consumption will not threaten our vital natural resources. Certainly, convening a broad array of state and national experts and conducting a thorough analysis of Florida’s energy needs and environmental sensitivities is an enormous undertaking. Recognizing that the legislative session in Florida in 2012 will operate on an accelerated schedule, and also respecting that formulating a comprehensive energy policy for Florida is an endeavor that could well take years to complete, I would respectfully request that CEA plan to present recommendations to Governor Scott, Speaker Cannon and myself no later than SUITE 409, THE CAPITOL, 404 SOUTH MONROE STREET ¯ TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399-1100 ¯ TELEPHONE (850) 487-5229 Senate’s Website: www.flsenate.gov
April 8,2011 Page 2
December 31,2011. As we have discussed, the relationship between job creation, economic gro_wth and rational, balanced energy and envirolmaental policies is direct. Other states have enacted policies that have failed to recognize this relationship--by forcing companies and jobs to move to other regions of the country or overseas tln’ough the imposition of policies that have &iven energy prices tip artificially and restricted growth tlv-ough increasingly burdensome regulatory regimes. In order to avoid the lnistakes that several states have made in this regard, Florida needs to take a critical look at our current and future energy needs and to establish a responsible path towards meeting them. Thank you for your willhagness to help our state in this important process, and I look forward to working with Consumer Energy Alliance to address these issues. Sincerely,
Mike Haridopolos President, Florida Senate
