A reader's dispute of the Bradenton Herald article by Rae Dowling regarding FPL and the City of Sarasota

Submitted by Rex James

Friends,

If you haven’t read it yet. Please  see link to an opinion article in today’s Herald Tribune page 19a.  Very misleading as to how FPL embraces the production of Solar electricity in Sarasota.   Please see my comments and research below.  The more  that I understand “decoupling” the more I like it.

Full article link: http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20100529/COLUMNIST/5291006/2080/OPINION?Title=FPL-We-re-city-s-best-option

Analysis:

2^nd paragraph  

              Contrary to rumors, the proposed franchise agreement does not prohibit customer-installed renewable generation, distributed generation, or providers with new technologies from serving the city, nor does it prevent the city from building its own renewable or generation facility to serve its own facilities.  In fact we have met several times with local official to discuss renewable energy opportunities. However the city has not yet determined the next step it would like to take 

I am not sure whether the language here is meant to win over the average citizen or whether FPL representatives have not received the desires correctly posed from the City.

The first major clarification which needs to be made is: “ the City”  

As in all formal communications, terms to be used regularly in text need to be defined.   Sarasota City officials need to help FPL by clarifying “ the City” as:

 all properties,  property owners, and tenants falling within the geographic borders of The City of Sarasota”

The article appears to consider “the City” as city owned land and properties.

In terms of solar and renewables in Sarasota over the past 2 years:

No one in the local solar and renewable industry, involved citizen groups, task forces, nor the economic development corporation, or city sustainability offices have ever so narrowly approached the desires of  the citizens of Sarasota as being the City owned properties.

While FPL has allowed the property owners of Sarasota to install and connect renewables, particularly Solar to the grid, this is mandated by the Public Service commission.

   Customer installed renewable generation refers to people putting solar on their own businesses or homes.  This leaves out the very important industry growth component of someone or investor

group installing solar on property and selling the power to that user.

Often referred to as a 3^rd party provider.

Currently neither of the following Examples would be allowed by FPL franchise:   

1.      Company X installs solar panels in the adjacent field to  company Y, and runs wire to their building, installs a meter and charges for the Kilowatt hours provided.

2.      Company X installs solar panels on company Y’s roof and company X maintains ownership of the panels, selling the power, through a meter, to company Y.

3.      Company X installs Solar panels on its property specifically to sell to FPL at a fair price.  (industry analysis showing the true cost of power put into the grid near its point of use add the transmission losses, pollution reductions, reduction in costly standby production during peak use, and many others to be 50% or  more, above the retail rate.  In Sarasota that  might be $.15 - $.20/kwh)

distributed generation,  :  Roof top solar is distributed generation,  but the traditional utility definition is standby generators owned by large users (hospitals, town buildings etc.)  that can be called into operation by a utility during a dramatic peak load period  .

It would be great to consider a Solar Farm as distributed generation and appreciate its value with strong kwh reimbursement recognizing that its peak contribution mirrors FPL’s peak demand curve.

 

Does not prohibit providers with new technologies from serving the city ?

  This may be the case of energy efficiency equipment, but certainly not electric generation equipment, other than the previous distributed generation equipment a city or a company purchases solely to offset their own use on their own property.  Such as a standby generator or fuel cell.

With the rapid advances in energy production and conservation, it would be in the best interest of the City and Citizens of Sarasota to have an energy future that embraces the reduction of fossil and nuclear produced energy, the reduced dependence on long distance transmission, and a sustainable supply that reflects the often aggressive weather we face.

There are two directions to meet this goal:

1. Converting from a for-profit to a Not-for–profit utility provider.
2. Creating a “decoupling” agreement with a for-profit utility.

Decoupling breaks the link between the utility's ability to recover its agreed-upon fixed costs, including the profit margin, from the actual volume of sales that occur through a rate adjustment mechanism. If a utility promotes less energy use, they are rewarded rather than punished.     See “How decoupling works”: http://www.progressivestates.org/content/671/utility-decoupling-giving-utilities-incentives-to-promote-energy-efficiency#2

 

Us­ing untapped efficiency is the single most effective step energy providers and energy market regulators can take to reduce environmental pollution, power costs, and price volatility.

An ideal system supports both supply side and demand side efficiencies.

There is history of decoupling conversations and tests in Florida. We need to investigate what has been , and assess whether this might be a viable Sarasota solution to energy.

http://www.psc.state.fl.us/publications/pdf/electricgas/DecouplingReport_To_Legislature.pdf

 

World Ocean Day - Boyton Beach

Prepare for the worst, hope for the best.

Confused about what is going on regarding the oil that is sure to make its way to Palm Beach County? What to be prepared, but don’t know how to get the info?  Join us for an information meeting.

When:
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
6:00 PM

Where:
Boynton Beach Inlet Park.
6990 N Ocean Blvd
Boynton Beach, FL

(Meet under the main pavilion by the inlet, park in the center parking lot, please.)

You'll find the latest info. for the Meetup here: Huffington Post  or Facebook

Contact info, Allan @ 561.541.3700
eqflpbc@yahoo.com

Putting some sunshine on "FPL: We're city's best option" - Sarasota Herald Tribune

Today, in the Sarasota Herald Tribune, there was an Op-Ed that I would like to respond to.  

FPL began informal discussions about the franchise renewal last year, and we continue to negotiate in good faith and accommodate requests by the city. Contrary to rumors, the proposed franchise agreement does not prohibit customer-installed renewable generation, distributed generation, or providers with new technologies from serving the city, nor does it prevent the city from building its own renewable or other generation facility to serve its own facilities. In fact, we have met several times with local officials to discuss renewable energy opportunities. However, the city has not yet determined the next steps that it would like to take.  -By RAE DOWLING Guest Columnist Published: Saturday, May 29, 2010 at 1:00 a.m.

While I feel that all sides should be heard from in the negotiations of the City of Sarasota FPL Franchise agreement, I also feel that the facts need to be quoted in full disclosure.  

Rae Dowling and I have been a part of the meetings that she mentioned in her op-ed column today.  Rae is a representative of FPL and I was there on behalf of the City of Sarasota.   These meetings stemmed from the town hall that was hosted by the Public Service Commission last June, 2009 in Sarasota to discuss the rate request of FPL.  It was at that hearing that Rep. Fitzgerald (D- Sarasota), Rep. Doug Holder (R- Sarasota) and Mayor Kirschner of Sarasota introduced the idea of a renewable energy pilot program in Sarasota with FPL.  

Soon after the town hall, we entered into our first meeting with FPL to discuss the possibilities of renewable energy projects throughout, not only the city, but also the county.  Representatives listed above, plus representatives from Sarasota County and the Rep. Buchanan's office we there in the begining.  We met twice with FPL between June 2009 and January 2010 to present to them our list of projects that we wanted to see happen in Sarasota -both city and county wide.  At our last meeting in January, we gave FPL a two page list of projects that we would like to see happen.  We were told that these projects were "doable" by the FPL Reps.  FPL left the meeting with that list and was to get back to us on the next step.  It wasn't until later that evening of January's meeting that we found out that the franchise agreement was up for renewal.  If it is true that FPL "began informal discussions about the franchise renewal last year," it was at the bitter end of last year.  But to my knowledge, it wasn't until January, the day of our last meeting, that the city was made aware of this renewal.

The reason that I feel it is important to clarify this information is to keep the spin from happening.  It is unfair to imply that the city has been "discussing" -  informally or otherwise the franchise agreement since last year, giving the impression that these negotiations have been going on for a long time.  

It is also unfair to imply that the city is the one who has dropped the ball on the renewable energy projects.  FPL was to get back to us on how to proceed.  They were not waiting for us.  We have been waiting for them. 

BP Oil Spill - a look below the surface of what they are not showing you.

Please take a few minutes to see what is under the water's surface of the BP Oil Spill.  Good Morning America invited Jacque Custeau's grandson, Philippe Cousteau Jr, to go below the surface and see what no one is reporting on.

"one of the most horrible things I’ve ever seen underwater." - Phillipe Cousteau Jr.

Powerful franchise - Sarasota is right to examine its energy options

 "With oil gushing into the Gulf of Mexico and the environment at risk, the need to end the state's fossil-fuel addiction has become increasingly urgent. But rushing into -- or out of -- an important FPL agreement is unwise.

This is an issue that needs much more discussion, analysis, understanding and public input before a 30-year decision -- one that could seriously impact the environment, city finances and customers' pocketbooks -- is made.

With the existing franchise agreement's expiration imminent, we urge FPL and the city to work out a one-year extension if possible. It is not a real solution, but it would buy time for the citizens of Sarasota to explore their options.

Whether the city stays with FPL or branches out in a new direction, the consequences will be significant. Everybody needs a chance to understand them." - Sarasota Herald Tribune

To read the entire article - Sarasota Herald Tribune 

Mark your calendars - Sarasota Power Rally at City Hall

THE RALLY HAS BEEN PUT ON HOLD 

 A town hall has been scheduled on June 16th, 2010 Sarasota City Hall 2pm - 5pm



What:  FPL Franchise Agreement is up for renewal!

The city's 30 year franchise agreement with Florida Power and Light is expiring May 28, 2010.  Our City Commission is evaluating what options the City has for alternatives to the agreement or renewing with FPL.  The City has employed expert legal counsel and based on Monday evening's City Commission meeting, seem to be asking all of the right questions and are prepared to do the hard work of researching the best options available for the benefit of the citizens rather than laying down and accepting whatever the investor owned utility puts forth.  The City Commission voted to pass THEIR version of an agreement and not FPL’s.   They need the support of citizens. 

Where:  Sarasota City Hall (Commission Chambers), 1565 First Street, Sarasota

When: Monday, June 7, 2010 5:00pm (Commission Meeting 6pm – 9:30pm)

What you should know about why the City Commission is considering a Municipal Utility -

1. Governed by local residents, a community-owned utility is owned by the municipality it serves. Service, rather than profit, is the bottom line.

2. The goal of a municipal utility is to be the low-cost provider of electric service.  Efficiency is to our advantage.

3. Decisions about the operation of a municipal utility are made by members of the community at open, public meetings. Owning a municipal utility means that customers' energy dollars stay in the community - Creating jobs in SARASOTA.

4. Municipal utilities serve as an engine for economic development.  They make significant payments-in-lieu-of-taxes to the city. Their rates are competitive. Competitive rates mean more dollars are available to spend on other goods and services, which boosts the local economy.  

Facebook: Join Sarasota Power to keep up with the latest information.

Clean Energy Gulf Challenge Announced - $10,000 prize!

SACE Launches Contest for Roadmap to End America’s Dangerous Addiction to Oil

Jacksonville, Fla. (May 13) – Today, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy is issuing a Clean Energy Gulf Challenge to solicit and award a cash prize for the best plan that demonstrates how the United States can end both offshore oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and imports of Persian Gulf oil.  The unfolding oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico has sharpened the debate between foreign oil imports and risky offshore domestic production.  The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy believes that there is a way, not only to end our dependence on oil imports from potentially unstable government regimes in the Persian Gulf , but to also phase out the environmentally risky practice of offshore oil and gas drilling. 

“It’s a false tradeoff to say that we must undertake dangerous offshore drilling activities or see an increase in oil imports from potentially hostile regimes,” said Dr. Stephen Smith, executive director of SACE.  “People want to see a future that eliminates U.S. oil extraction from both locations, and we are seeking the brightest minds to map out a bridge to that future.”

The Clean Energy Gulf Challenge will accept plans from individuals, companies, academic institutions and “think tanks” over the next few weeks (contest deadline is Monday, June 14th) that lay out the details of how to get the U.S. to end domestic offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and Persian Gulf oil imports.  Experts in the energy field will review the plans.  The top three selections will be presented to the public during the week of Independence Day as a tribute to America ’s movement towards energy independence.  The public will then have an opportunity to cast their votes, and the $10,000 prizewinner will be announced on Tuesday, July 13th.

“Increasing efficiency standards on cars and trucks, using sustainable biofuels, electrifying a portion of vehicle fleets and a host of other measures will reduce America ’s oil consumption.  I believe that reducing our oil and gas consumption one-fifth [or 20 percent] by 2020 could get our nation out of both the Gulf of Mexico and the Persian Gulf ,” Dr. Smith stated.  “Many alternatives are available now, and we are looking for the best and the brightest to help the American people understand that yes, we can do this. The Clean Energy Gulf Challenge will spotlight the path forward and give people hope that we are not hostage to two very bad situations.”


The Clean Energy Gulf Challenge Entry Information 

Sarasota Power on Facebook

There is a Facebook Fan Page started called "Sarasota Power"  It will provide the opportunity to keep up with the latest information about the Sarasota City Commission and their negotiations with FPL.

You will find the up-to-date information about the direction the city is going in their quest for electricity. There, you can join in the conversation, offer ideas, offer support, or just pass along information.  So if you are on Facebook, or are looking for a reason to join, just click the link below log on.  Let your voices be heard!

Sarasota Power

Sarasota City Commission asks for a 5 year franchise agreement from FPL.

Last night, when I walked out of the Sarasota City Commission meeting after listening to the City Commissioners debate about the new franchise agreement proposed by FPL, I heard from a participant,"That was the first time in my 25 year career that I have never been more proud of a group of elected officials!"

I have to agree, they made me very proud.  As a collective body, they were not only all on the same page (which was to look out for their citizens,) but they were smart in their ideas and forward thinking with their insight when it came to negotiating a deal with FPL.  Here are the key points of the discussion:

1. Commissioner Tuner was not about to agree with the length of the contract - 30 years.  He asked for 5 years and the entire commission was in agreement.  This was groundbreaking because no one has ever tried to negotiate this with FPL before.  "Some of us won't even be around to negotiate the next deal with FPL if we sign a 30 year agreement," he exclaimed.  Commissioner Atwell added, "With the technology changing as rapidly as it does, I think a five year commitment would be more reasonable."

2. FPL has the Right Of First Refusal (ROFR).  Which means that anyone who bids on a job with a city, FPL has the right to step in at the last minute and match that bid - not offer a lower bid - but match it.  Monica Kennedy, Elite Solar, testified that she would never waste her employees time to submit a bid to the city when FPL can come in at the last minute and take it away from her.

Peter Laughlin, CEO of Echo Technologies. told the Commission that the ROFR would have a "chilling effect" on suppliers of renewable energy and the city will not get the best deal possible.

 3. It was identified by the Commission and the officials from FPL that the franchise fees that the City receives from FPL are just a "pass through" from the rate payers via FPL to the City.  "In effect, it is like a tax...where FPL has no skin in the game" stated Mayor Kirschner.  Followed by Commissioner Turner stating that it was no different than if they raised the millage ratews and didn't bother to negotiate with FPL.

Richard Swier brought up an interesting point in his article for Red County.  He questions how this in not taxation without representation and wonders how the people could agree to this for the next 30 years.

4. Mayor Kirschner and Commissioner Turner took issue with the fact that in the agreement, FPL has the right to cancel the agreement without due cause, but in order for the City to cancel the agreement, FPL has the right to have their day in court and then is granted 6 months to make good if the courts decide that there is a problem before the City can be released from it's contract.

5. Commissioner Atwell brought up the possiblity of the City deciding not to sign a contract with FPL and putting together a way to purchase their power from someone else.  Or even start their own power plant...just like Gainesville's municipal utility.  She also went on to ask why after 30 years are they only being given two weeks to negotiate with FPL on the new franchise agreement.

The city hired an attorney from Tallahassee, Schef Wright, to help negotiate the franchise agreement with FPL.  He left last night with the direct instructions to find out for the city how to go about developing a municipal utility.

The next meeting that FPL has requested will be on June 7, 2010 at City Hall.  It is my suggestion that if you care about what happens with the way you get your energy and how you will be taxed on it...then you should let your voices be known now.  Tell the Commissioners how you feel about what they are trying to accomplish for the City!

An amazing precedent is being set by the City of Sarasota and its Commissioners.  I predict the whole world will be watching!

Red County and their thoughts on the FPL franchise fees

City of Sarasota Commission To Tax Sarasotans for 30 Years Without Their Permission? | Red County

 I am posting RED County's own Richard Swier's article on Sarasota and FPL's franchise agreement. It's an interesting take on the franchise fees.


Reprinted from Red County:

Today I received an e-mail from a Mr. Bill Johnson, President of Brilliant Harvest, LLC in Lakewood Ranch, Florida. Mr Johnson is concerned about a Florida Power & Light (FPL) franchise agreement that the City of Sarasota Commission will take up at a regularly scheduled meeting on May 18, 2010.

Here are the two most interesting paragraphs from Mr. Johnson's e-mail:

"I am not sure if you are aware, but tomorrow night [May 18], the Sarasota City commission will be discussing its FPL franchise agreement, which is due to be renewed for a new 30 year period. FPL has been privately negotiating this agreement with the city for some time, but it got on the city council agenda only Friday. The franchise agreement allows FPL to operate in the city and provide services to the city and its residents.

Just so you know, the city receives revenue from the franchise agreement, which represents a tax that you do not have the opportunity to vote on. If you live in the city (or county, but they approved the franchise agreement renewal last year, so we missed that opportunity), approximately 6% of your electric bill goes back to the city. Imagine if someone tried to put a 30 year mileage on the ballot, with no opportunity to alter it?"

I contacted Mayor Kelly Kirschner about the FPL franchise agreement. Mayor Kirschner replied, "Mr. Johnson is correct - it's a tax that's locked in for 30 years. The last time it was discussed was in 1980. I hope you and others in the community will be able to come out and participate in our important conversation."

Mr. Johnson is alleging that this constitutes "taxation without representation" by not allowing voters to make their voices heard via the ballot box.

This is an interesting position and one worthy of further analysis. Every city and county in America has right of ways for public utilities. Among these utilities are of course power companies, cable companies and telephone companies. Over the years local governments have found a way to leverage these right of ways into cash for maintaining government services. What most of us do not realize is that any franchise fee placed upon these public utilities is in fact a tax. It appears on our cable, telephone and power bills as a tax. These taxes are a pass through to you and me, the consumer.

Government has found many ways to legally tax us without asking us. I did a series of articles about the Sarasota County School Board using Certificates of Participation to fund school construction. This process, while legal, in-debts Sarasota property owners without their permission.

Is this legal? Probably because the City owns the right of ways. But should these right of ways be used as a back door means to raise taxes on all of us? Not a good idea. What are your thoughts?

I've been accused: "Unfortunate Mischaracterization of Senator Bennett's Renewable Energy Bill"

This morning I received an anonymous comment on my article about FPL's franchise agreement with the City of Sarasota.  It accused me of "mischaracterizing" Senator Bennett's bill - SB 1186.  The reader stated:

1. The bill did not remove PSC oversight of the Cost of Renewable Energy- PSC oversight was completely retained what the bill did do was give clear guidance to the PSC that Renewable Energy was in the state's interest and that no determination of need was necessary. 

2. The Bill did not remove the Governor's RPS goals- The Governor's RPS goals are not in Statute they are in an Excutive Order. What the bill did do was remove from statute language directing the PSC to craft a RPS rule- this was clean up- as the PSC already went thru the RPS rulemaking process.

3. The Bill did not allow for early cost recovery- it retained normal cost recovery processes. in other words costs would not have been recovered until the project was built.

First, let me state that I am the first one to promote fair representation of all sides of an argument.  Whether, I agree or disagree with the points made by the individual is irrelevant to my commitment to providing honest representation on this blog.  My motive is to put the power into the hands of the reader.

Second, let me state that I also have no problem correcting anything I print if it is proven that the information that I stated is inaccurate.  

Third, I must also state that when someone posts anonymously on my blog it is hard for me to verify the information that is given and therefore I have to do my own research to support the claims being made by that individual.

So in my response to the accusations that we made by this anonymous reader I will address their concerns.

In my post about the renewable energy bills that were introduced this past session, it was not only Senator Bennett's bill that I was commenting on, but also HB 1471.  This was my statement that the reader took issue with:

"This year their efforts centered around getting Senator Bennett's (R- Sarasota) bill SB 1186 passed. In it's final form - the bill ( and it's companion bill HB 1471) would have gotten rid of the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) goals set by Governor Crist, removed the Public Service Commission (PSC) from regulating the cost, and allowed for early cost recovery for renewable energy production controlled by the utilities.  "

This is the explanation of HB 1471 which states:

 "Renewable Energy: Revises legislative intent regarding state's renewable energy policy; deletes provisions requiring PSC to adopt rules for renewable portfolio standard; requires PSC to provide full cost recovery including return on equity for certain renewable energy projects; provides exemptions from determination of need requirements; provides that legislative determination fulfills certain requirements; redefines term "electrical power plant" for purposes of Florida Electrical Power Plant Siting Act to exclude solar electrical generating facilities." 

What I said about the RPS, I still feel, is accurate.  What I need to make clear is that the RPS goals set by the Governor was an executive order, not a law.  The bill does not undo the executive order, but it does delete the mandate and if the bill would have passed, the PSC would no longer be required to meet those goals.

I stand corrected - it is "full" cost recovery not "early" cost recovery.

And as far as my statement about the PSC not being able to regulate the costs, I need to further explain.  What the bill would have done is to require the PSC to approve the rate increase as long as the Utility's cost are considered "normal and reasonable costs" for the project.  The PSC could challenge the cost if they found the rates unreasonable.

I hope this clears it up for the reader.  My apologies if I mislead anyone.

 

More on the City of Sarasota's franchise agreement with FPL

If you want to be able to read the franchise agreement ahead of time, please click on this link - FPL Franchise Agreement

Also here is a comment that was just sent in by a reader.  I thought it was worth not having it buried in the comment section.  

"Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "City of Sarasota to Vote on FPL Franchise Agreemen...":

Read this carefully: FPL Franchise Agreements are very bad for municipalities.

In the simplest terms, FPL pays money to municipalities in exchange for the total rights to build 'facilities' in the municipality's right-of-ways. This means dangerous and property value reducing Transmission Lines, Sub-Stations, transforms, etc.

Once signed, FPL has all the rights, and the municipality has zero rights. The municipality will NEVER be able to sue FPL to stop these things, because they signed the Agreement. No judge will let FPL lose, and rightfully so - its what the Agreement says. See "FPL v Brevard County", and read how the court ruled in favor of FPL, based on the Agreement.

Is that clear enough?

Then add this to the mix - the municipality will never be able to produce it's own power for the benefit of its residents, and in most cases, for the benefit of its own power needs. The municipality may be able to ask another power company to provide power at a lower cost that FPL, but FPL has right of first refusal, and they are so big that they will always lose some money to keep their monopoly.

Clear enough yet?

And finally. The worst of it all - the money that FPL pays the municipality? It comes straight out of the resident's pocket. Read that again.

Resident gets an electric bill, resident pays an extra 6%, FPL passes through that money to the municipality, and FPL gets all the benefits of the Agreement. It's an invisible tax, and the municipality gets to claim their millage rate is low, and FPL gets all the rights.

Any elected official who signs this agreement ought to be run out of town on a rail, plain and simple. They are not voting for their constituent's benefit, but for FPL's profit.

Don't sign that Agreement, and FPL still will provide power and service and upgrades - it's the law.

And yet, I bet that Sarasota will pass it. It's a disgrace."

City of Sarasota to Vote on FPL Franchise Agreement this Monday

Coming up Monday, May 17th, 2010

The City of Sarasota will be voting on the new franchise agreement offered by FPL.  It will be discussed during the 6pm time slot of the City Commission meeting held at City Hall, downtown Sarasota.  What makes this a significant vote is that the franchise agreement only comes up once every 30 years~

A few years back, Sarasota County debated their contract with FPL.  Not many residents knew about this until the contract was already signed and too late to make any changes.  Typically, FPL places a call to the city and county a few months before their agreement is up and quietly negotiates a new one.  Some say the county franchise agreement could have been made better and shown more of a commitment to the county's efforts with renewable energy.  The opportunity to support this seemed to be passed over without a whimper.

FPL has for a long time shouted out it's message of how they are one of the leaders in renewable energy.  But so far, their work to make that happen has really underlined the message that they want to be the only leaders in renewable energy.  This year their efforts centered around getting Senator Bennett's (R- Sarasota) bill SB 1186 passed.  In it's final form - the bill ( and it's companion bill HB 1471) would have gotten rid of the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) goals set by Governor Crist, removed the Public Service Commission (PSC) from regulating the cost, and allowed for early cost recovery for renewable energy production controlled by the utilities.  The one significant thing was it was the first time FPL was talking about distributed energy - other wise commonly known as roof-top solar.  Both bills died in committee.

Now FPL wants to negotiate a deal with the City of Sarasota and nothing about roof-top solar was introduced in this new franchise agreement.  When the city asked about it, the only response was their reference to the net-metering program that is already in place.  This is where the city is allowed by state law (net-metering) to build on their own plant up to 2 MegaWatt on their facilities.   But as nice as that sounds, you can ask Mary Clark over at the Triple J Ranch how net metering has worked out for her.

What the city does want to focus on with this new franchise agreement is a pro-renewable initiative, allowing the City of Sarasota to contract with 3rd parties to provide the service and allowing FPL as a bidder but not with a Right of First Refusal (ROFR.)  In other words, if the City bids the job, FPL can bid to provide the requested services, and if FPL wins, it wins at its bid price.

Very much like the PSC hearings of last summer when FPL came to town asking for a rate increase, the public has this one chance to vocalize their opinion/support of this franchise agreement.   Please do not pass up on this opportunity.  The next one will not occur for the next thirty years!


City Hall Information: 
1565 1st Street, Room 101
Sarasota, FL 34236
Phone: (941) 954-4115

www.GOP2012Tampa.com - You have to see for yourself!

This has got to be the best marketing campaign I have seen in a long time.  Agree or disagree with the subject matter, Tampa resident, Joyce Weaver, is one smart lady.  Upset about what is happening in the Gulf of Mexico and wanting to bring everyone's attention to it.  Joyce was quick in grabbing a domain name that would bring her cause a lot of attention.  So now when people will be searching for information about the upcoming Republican National Convention in 2012, they will most likely stumble upon her site and see what really matters to the people of Florida!

Congratulations Joyce for being so quick on your feet!

 To take a look at what we are talking about go to: http://www.gop2012tampa.com/

Oil spill mobilizes; DISGUSTED; environmental activist - St. Petersburg Times

ST. PETERSBURG

Lorraine Margeson answers the phone in the kitchen. "Hello, HON," she says. On the line is a captain from a state wildlife agency with the latest news about the oil spill.

"Okay," Margeson says. "Oily birds. Oily turtles. Call meee if you see any. PROMISE? You're a sweetheart."

Margeson, 53, is probably Tampa Bay's best-known environmental activist. She is a pint-sized buzz saw. She cusses, she threatens, she shouts. She writes e-mails overflowing with capital letters and exclamation points. She is afraid of nobody except maybe her mother, who sometimes asks "Have you been smoking?" at which time Margeson answers by blaming her nicotine-fiend husband, Don, for the cancer-stick smell.

In good times and in bad, she is fired up about something. But the oil spill in the northern gulf has turned her high-energy personality up several notches. Coffee? She'll take a gallon, black, and make it snappy. Sleep? She'll sleep when she's dead. If she has to make some lives miserable in the next few months, she is willing and able.

"I'm a giant pain in the a--," she says. "That's my M.O."

Up in her giant second-story bedroom, an enormous computer sits on an enormous desk. Next to the computer, papers are neatly stacked. Next to the papers are files containing hundreds if not thousands of names she can call on a moment's notice, which she often does. YOU GOT A PROBLEM WITH THAT?

"We're going to get TAR BALLS even if we don't get an oil SLICK on the beach," Margeson declares. She's more or less shouting into the phone again.

Nobody knows what's going to happen to Florida's beaches. Will the oil ooze onto the state's western shore? Or will the loop current sweep it south into the Keys and up Florida's east coast? Whatever happens, Margeson is "DISGUSTED! THIS IS GOING TO BE A DISASTER!"

To continue reading:
Oil spill mobilizes 'DISGUSTED' environmental activist - St. Petersburg Times

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Independent video account of the BP Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill - what they are not showing on TV

What worries me is what is happening underneath the water.

Collateral Damage - How we look at the Fishing industry.

Often when we debate about the need for off-shore drilling, our arguments tend to focus on our need for energy.  Between the cars that we need to drive, the tractor trailers that deliver our food and goods, to the plastics that we have grown to depend on in our lives...the argument is hard to argue.  Sure, many of us are concerned about climate change, the damage that we cause to our environment, and the sacrifices that we make of our coast line, but that argument against off-shore drilling has always been based on what-ifs - outweighed by the reality that no one is really ready to make the changes necessary to lesson our dependence on fossil fuels.  The environment is a "liberal" cause that leaves the "conservative"  a little parched.

Driving your car is a tangible, the temperature of the earth is hard to understand when the weather outside says the opposite.  It's not enough to want to do the right thing when there is just no clear plan on how to do it.  And yet every year we dig ourselves deeper into the hole.  The auto industry fights us every step of the way to provide us with vehicles that get better mileage; the utility companies put up road blocks with legislation that makes a school yard dealer look like he's giving out candy; and the oil and coal industry continue to be the carnival barkers- peddling their games to the child with wide eyes.  Our hands always feel like they are tied.

This past April, one of the worst environmental disasters occurred within the Gulf of Mexico.  British Petroleum(BP), Transocean, and Halliburton were all apart of a rig named the Deepwater Horizon.

 "The Deepwater Horizon was one of the most sophisticated drilling rigs on the planet.

The Deepwater Horizon was an "ultra-deepwater, dynamically positioned, semi-submersible offshore drilling rig" capable of the precision work of sending drill pipes more than six miles down, dead straight, through the ocean floor and deep into the earth’s crust. Within hours of finishing the final steps, there was an explosion that sent 126 men running for their lives.  13 men died that day while the rest watched from their life boats as the rig went up in flames and then finally laid to rest on the ocean floor.  Now 5000 barrels a day are pouring out of the well since April 21,2010 and is expected to continue at that rate for a couple more months.  We watch the reports everyday wondering when it will reach our shores.  Visions of a black gel-like substance that will coat our beaches, our mangroves, and wildlife bring fear and angst into our lives.  Was it worth it?  Did we really recognize the risk of drilling for oil?  Are we willing to accept the consequences?

Never is there a thought amongst any rational argument that there are also industries that will become the collateral damage of our need to keep drilling for oil.  "According to NOAA, there are 3.2 million recreational fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico region who took 24 million fishing trips in 2008. Commercial fishermen in the Gulf harvested more than 1 billion pounds of finfish and shellfish in 2008." Now I realize that the recreational fishermen are not a group that depends on fishing to make a living, but what about the commercial fisherman?  The Gulf of Mexico links the ports of five southern U.S states (Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas).  The Gulf also produces 73% of the nation's domestically produced shrimp and 59% of its oysters, says the National Marine Fisheries Service.   Already, the commercial fishermen battle tight regulations, foreign competition, and virtually uncontrolled waterfront development.  As they learn to navigate through these obstacles to keep their head above water, we come along and throw them to the wolves with an oil spill that will wipe them out entirely.

Families, for generations, have taken to the ocean for their livelihood.  Fathers and sons, mothers and daughters uphold this family tradition in the same way we hope that one day our children will be a part of our history. These children see the struggles of their parents and will often look for a life elsewhere.  The local community also depends on these fisherman.  Restaurants, wholesalers, fish markets and the people who live in that community depend on the fisherman.  This interdependence is vital to an economically healthy community.  But when we pass laws and sign leases to drill for oil off of our coast, we do it without even the slightest regard to putting an industry up for sacrifice.

The public grumbles when restaurants are not able to sell grouper for a month because of over fishing.  Can you imagine what it will be like when there is no one left to fish at all because we have driven them out of business? We are so willing to discount such an important industry without any further consideration.  Sure, BP is hiring fisherman to help with the spill and the government is seeing to it that there will be a grant fund for the fisherman to pull from to help compensate them for their troubles, but is that what we really want?  In a time when we are quick to ridicule any person, company, or government for accepting financial assistance - we seem to feel better about the situation with the fishermen by throwing money their way.  That is now.  What about in a year from now?  Will we be just as tolerant when they are still on government assistance because they cannot find a job doing something else? Do you think this is what they want?  Or do you think that they want to be recognized as an important part of our world?

What about the communities that depended on these fishermen?  Places like Tarpon Springs, Fl., Venice, La., Jekyll Island, Ga.,and Port Aransas, Tx. are going to find themselves like the ghost towns of the long lost west. Then what?  Even if it is not within our generation that our oil reserves will become depleted, and the climate will become hot enough to destroy habitats, the commercial fisherman will already be a thing of the past - long before you ever see the sunset of your life.  "The Commercial Fisherman - Killed by Friendly Fire" will be posted under the display at the Smithsonian.  Are they now worth considering when we decide to drill for oil?

Other reads:
LA Times - Commercial Fishermen bitter over BP job handouts.
Photo from: National Fisherman
BP Hearing - What The Traditional Media Did Not Report

BP Photo of oil leak at it's source - 5000 feet down.

I'd thought you might like to see what 5,000 barrels of oil leaking into the Gulf of Mexico look like at it's source.  It looks so simple to fix it...and yet.

Oil Hits the Ground in Louisiana

Reprinted from www.snookhaven.org

Written by Brandon Shuler | 11 May 2010

How does one capture the drama of a slow-moving train wreck? We all want to look away from the mercurial unraveling of the Deep Water Horizon story, but as fingers of rainbow sheen and large tar balls begin washing up on the wetlands and in the passes of Louisiana from the Chandeluer Islands to Cocodrie Peninsula, we can't. We're riveted. We want answers. We want solutions. We want explanation.

photo: Brandon Shuler, in LA, with Jon Brett

Jon Brett, SF Florida Gulf Coast Director, and I will be on the ground collecting the stories that interest Snook Foundation members. We will tell the underrepresented side of the news. We will capture the devastation this spill will create as it encroaches and infuses into the delicate wetlands and marshes of Louisiana, vital nursery habitat for grouper and snapper and other species.

These wetlands and nurseries are disappearing from the Louisiana coast and Mississippi River delta at the alarming rate of 500 square yards every 45 minutes and represent the breeding grounds which supply 25% of the nation’s seafood production.

We are capturing the stories of the Louisiana shrimper and fishermen as they watch their livelihoods attacked by another, yet this time man-made, disaster. We have witnessed and tried to unravel the frustrating rumors that run rampant through these little fishing communities who tie their entire financial well-being to the bounty of a healthy eco-system.

Every glimmer of hope or shadow of doom sends the scuttlebutts roaring and emotions run raw and frightened to elated and hopeful.

Our aim is to provide quality updates through the snookfoundation.org website, our social media page on Facebook, and through our trip blog, drilledbybp.com. We are posting daily updates and video stories to give an accurate portrayal of the events as they unfold.


Source

Governor open to anti-drilling constitutional amendment

 Follow up: Directly from Bayfront 9

"Gov. Charlie Crist said Thursday he is open to a proposal from state democratic lawmakers to push through a constitutional ban on offshore oil drilling.

Crist also used his clearest language yet regarding his stance on oil drilling.

"Let me be very clear about this, as far as oil drilling is concerned: Not now, no way, " Crist said. "Whether it's in the form of a constitutional amendment or a special session remains to be seen."

The Governor withdrew his support for offshore drilling last week after flying over the oil spill and seeing the effects.

Democratic state lawmakers are pushing forward with a stiff stance on offshore oil drilling. Rep. Rick Kriseman (D) of St. Petersburg and Rep. Keith Fitzgerald (D) of Sarasota called for an end to oil drilling off the waters of Florida.

Fitzgerald said it's time to "drive a stake through the bad idea, ending it once and for all."

The two are joining Sen. Dan Gelber (D) and Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink in asking Gov. Charlie Crist to approve a special legislative session on the oil spill.

Democrats are also pushing for a constititutional amendment that would go on the November ballot, to ban oil drilling and exploration in Florida waters and create a legislative mandate to develop a clean energy policy without oil or coal."


 Governor open to anti-drilling constitutional amendment

State Reps Rick Kriseman and Keith Fitzgerald to hold press conference

State Rep. Rick Kriseman (D- St. Petersburg) and State Rep. Keith Fitzgerald (D - Sarasota) will announce plans and a call for action tomorrow in St. Petersburg.  They have been fighting really hard to wake our state legislature up about the concerns of off-shore drilling.

Even with the BP oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico staring us right in the face, it still hasn't deterred the proponents of off-shore drilling on our coast.  While most of us are preparing for what is about to reach our shores, others are preparing to open up our waters even more to the oil companies.

Is this what we want?  After seeing how BP, using brand new technology, was ill prepared for this disaster, do we really want to invite them and others onto our shores?  Do we really want to be the testing ground for the next generation of oil wells?

Show your support and head over to St. Pete Beach tomorrow morning.  Have a moment with two people who have listened to our concerns and are willing to go to bat for us.


Location:
Tradewinds Island Grand Beach Resort
5500 Gulf Blvd.,
St. Pete Beach, FL 33706

Meeting right behind the hotel.

Training classes open to the public - Learning how to handle petroleum-contaminated materials

At 5:00 pm TODAY (May 5, 2010) these classes will become open to the public. This course is required for handling petroleum-contaminated materials. Each class is free but limit...ed to 40 students. If interested, please sign up for one of the sessions below through the online registration system at http://www.beckdr.com/... See Morehttp://www.beckdr.com/volunteerescambia/.

Classes held at Pensacola Civic Center
Thursday May 6, 2010:8:00 AM - 12:00 PM  1:00 PM - 5:00 PM 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Friday May 7, 20108:00 AM - 12:00 PM  1:00 PM - 5:00 PM 6:00 PM - 10:00 P

If you require further information, or need assistance in registering for the course please contact the Citizen Information Center at 850-471-6600. If you have already been contacted regarding the above sessions, or you have already taken the course, please disregard this notification. Thank you for your participation.

Donations are now being accepted at Save Our Seabirds

I spent the better half of the morning at Save Our Seabirds (SOS) fielding calls from the public and press, with everyone asking, "What can I do?"  I received on call from a woman in Buffalo, New York, and another from San Diego, California who were both hopping a plane to come down to Sarasota to help with what ever was needed.  So far we have recieved over 2000 applicatons online of people wanting to make themselves available.  It's been amazing and the work has yet to begin.

Everything is in a holding pattern right now and it might stay that way for the next couple of days.  SOS has a team that is ready to roll once they get a call from British Patroleum, letting them know when to deploy.  The last thing we heard is that there might be a chance that all of the oiled birds will come down to the SOS facility for cleaning at the Sarasota location.

Right now the focus is to get orgnaized and let eveyone know that once we get the go ahead, we will begin our calls to bring people in.  Until then our focus is on getting supplies that will be badly needed.  We are asking for: towels, bed sheets, t-shirts, Dawn Dish Soap, latex gloves, blankets, and small pet carriers.  Donations of supplies can be dropped off at the center, located at: 1708 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34236
Hours for drop off are 10:00 am to 4:30 pm.  No appointment is necessary.  Just stop on by.

In the meantime, it is like waiting for a hurricane to hit.  Will it be a Cat 3 or a Cat 5?  Know one is able to tell right now.  No one even knows where it is going to hit.  We are just waiting to get the call.

Here's more about Save Our Seabirds

Save Our Seabirds! - getting ready for the storm

I am helping to coordinate the volunteers for Save Our Seabirds (I am actually the Volunteer Cordinator, but I don't say that too loudly because I think my husband will freak me if he knew I signed up for such a big job.)

Today, their phone number went out over the media and they have been besieged with phone calls.  Which is great to see that so many people want to help.  Part of my job will be to go through all of the phone calls and get back to everyone.  So be a little patient, right now I am working on my own.

I would however like to mention that they are looking for people who have been trained in animal rescue at the moment.  That training is very important to the survival of the birds and other wildlife.  There will also be a need for people to assist in other ways, like getting supplies, transporting materials and such.

So if you feel the need to reach out and offer your help, I have posted links on the left of all of the organizations that are happy to have you.  In the meantime, if you have called Save Our Seabirds, I will be talking to you soon!

Was Obama right? The BP Deepwater Horizon devastation in the Gulf of Mexico.

A letter from the Editor


April 21st, 2010 - less than one month from President Obama saying that he would consider opening up the waters to off shore drilling, the worst environmental disaster in the history of the United States happened.  An oil rig off the coast of Texas owned by British Patroleum (BP) caught on fire, collapsed, and fell to the ocean floor.  Millions of gallons of oil are spilling into the Gulf of Mexico by the day with no hope of closing off the well for at least a month, if not three as indicated by reports coming from BP.

"BP is considered the most environmentally friendly of major oil companies" - A green and yellow sunburst is the color of their logo reminding of this every time we pull up to the pump. The truth is that BP had no plan in place for a disaster such as this.  "BP doesn't carry insurance against this type of mishap", because they figured that it was worth the risk.  They are ill prepared and have shown a track record of incidents proving this.

BP has had its share of recent high-profile accidents:

_ An explosion at a BP refinery in Texas City in 2005 killed 15 people and injured 170. Regulators in October hit BP with a record $87 million fine for failing to correct safety hazards at the plant. BP has formally contested the fine.

_ More than 200,000 gallons of oil spilled from a BP pipeline in Alaska in March 2006, the largest-ever spill on Alaska's oil-rich North Slope. BP paid about $20 million in fines, including $4 million to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for Arctic environmental research.

_ Last year, BP paid nearly $2 million in fines for not operating with the proper equipment at oil fields along the North Slope.- The Associated Press

In an exploration plan and environmental impact analysis filed with the federal government in February 2009, BP said it had the capability to handle a "worst-case scenario" at the Deepwater Horizon site, which the document described as a leak of 162,000 barrels per day from an uncontrolled blowout — 6.8 million gallons each day. - Associated Press

Continued below



The battle against off shore drilling has never been more intense than it has been within the last two years.  Here in Florida, members of the congress are holding steady with their intention to bring oil companies to the coast of Florida as soon as they can.  Soon to be Speaker of the House, Rep. Dean Cannon (R-Orlando) and soon to be President of the Senate, Senator Mike Haridopolus (R- Melbourne) are true believers that oil drilling is still the way and have "envisioned using oil drilling leases off Florida's gulf coast to fill a $6 billion budget hole expected next year."

Even with thousands of people gathering on Florida beaches last February, 2010 in protest not only of the Florida Congress opening up the waters to oil companies - Cannon introduced a bill in the past two years to promote his agenda on oil, but also the U.S. Government that is including off-shore drilling in the Senate Energy Bill to voted on in the next coming weeks.

Governor Charlie Crist waffled two years ago on his stance against off shore drilling when he was on the short list to be the Vice Presidential pick on Senator McCain's ticket.  Only recently has he come back to his original position of not allowing drilling along the coast.  U.S. 2010 Senate candidate, Marco Rubio, a strong supporter of "Drill Here, Drill Now!" (video) has only declared yesterday that he will wait before passing judgement and will "rethink the technologies of drilling off-shore"  

Ah yes, the drilling technologies...it always comes down to that.  It's a hard argument when the answer is that we can always improve technology and make it better.  "That won't happen here" is the logic that occurs when our egos do all of the reasoning and give us the confidence that allows us to think that we can control such things.  Last year when I met with my State Representative, Doug Holder (R-Sarasota), I asked him why he voted to bring off-shore drilling to our coast.  His responded by saying, "All I was hoping for is to open up the conversation."  This year when I asked him why he voted to support off-shore drilling off our coast again, he told me that technology is getting better and that he wants to have the opportunity for exploration.

Well, let's talk about the technology.  The oil rig that burned and spilled millions of gallons of oil in the Timor Sea, Australia last August was brand new technology.  In February 2009,  the contractor was awarded a contract worth $75m for the installation of the offshore facilities for the Montara field development, Australia. They finished in the structure on August 7th. 2009. By August 21st the rig caught fire and started leaking oil into the Timor Sea.  It wasn't until November that the crews were finally getting close to sealing the well.  November 1st, 2009, the platform caught on fire again.  Finally by December 4th, 2010 - the platform was formally condemned.  The rig was only five months old.  For five months millions of gallons of oil leaked into the sea off of the coast of Australia.  That was new technology.

As the facts start to come in about the BP oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, my guess is that those who are proponents of oil drilling will attribute it to faulty equipment that was outdated.  People like Holder and Rubio will say that they will demand better technology to be used here and they would never let something like the oils spill off the coast of Louisiana happen here.  But the truth is that technology is not the problem.  No matter what kind of drilling system we build and place off our coasts will could never discount the possibility of human error.  Faulty equipment starts of with someone making a mistake, cutting corners to try to cut costs, or just inexperience.  These people will weigh the time it takes to correct something against their production deadlines and bet on the odds that nothing won't happen.

With $209M paid in fines over the last 5 years, BP has even batted an eye.  To me, it shows that they can't even police themselves. And what happened to the people who do police them?  If I had a driving record like BP has an accident record, then odds are my drivers license would be taken away and I would be forbidden to drive again - that is if I was not in jail.  BP and other oil companies alike who have similar histories are fined. But the next day, they are back at work again.  The company who was responsible for the Australia accident is back building another platform.  Tell me, what are they going to do that is so different from what they did before.

Now the questions remain, what will the lawmakers now do?  Will U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, (R- South Carolina) remove off-shore drilling from the energy bill that is waiting to pass in the Senate?  Will candidates like Rubio decide to back off of the "Drill Here, Drill Now" mentality?  Will Florida Governor Crist hold firm to his recent stand against drilling off of our coast?  And will our local State Representative Holder actually require the oil companies to prove themselves BEFORE they ever get a chance to drill in any waters again?

And the real question is, "Will President Obama stand up and say, "Not Here, Not Now" and demand that oil companies concentrate on what they already have - making sure that accidents like this will not happen again?  And that everyone on the rigs in existence are not only qualified and retrained, but also policed by a stronger arm.  Will our President say that we cannot tolerate this from any company that operates on our land and our waters?

And the question for us is, "When will we stop believing that we can find a simple fix to a complex problem?"

Please don't go out on your own and clean up the beaches!

Here are a more organizations to volunteer with.  They are looking for people with boats, trucks, etc.

Alabama: Mobile Bay National Estuary Program

Louisiana: Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana

Mississippi: Pascagoula River Audubon Center

Florida: Save Our Seabirds  

We are looking for volunteers to help clean up the beaches.

Remember when Katrina hit and everyday you turned on the television and you wondered about how you could help?  Well, here it is again...a disaster of economic proportions and we need your help RIGHT NOW.

Here are a list of organizations that need the kind of help you can give.  They need your help in cleaning up the beaches and helping the animals.  PLEASE take a moment and see where you can help.  If you are not able to drive up to the Panhandle or Louisiana, then you can help here to get ready for what is to come.


Florida:   http://www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org/
Louisiana:  .www.volunteerlouisana.gov
Mississippi: www.volunteermississippi.org

Oil Spill Volunteers Clearing house

Animal Clean-Up After Oil Spill: A Lengthy Process



"As Gulf oil spill wildlife cleanup efforts begin, experts are concerned over the projected scope of the damage. Volunteers must undergo hazardous waste operations training before they can work with oil-affected animals. The cleanup process requires at least seven steps before animals are released back into the wild.


When it comes to organizing efforts to rescue wildlife affected by oil spills like the one in the Gulf of Mexico that made landfall in Louisiana late Thursday, timing is everything. Training is essential for volunteers, who could themselves suffer health problems if they should come into contact with the oil.

"The public can't just go out and pick up oiled wildlife," Nils Warnock, field operations specialist at the California Oiled Wildlife Care Network, managed by the University of California at Davis, explained to Discovery News.

He added that an emergency phone number (866-557-1401) has been established where people can report animals affected by the oil spill. The public is encouraged to have ready the number and type of animals, the date and time they were seen, their location and any observations about the animals' behavior." -By Jennifer Viegas

To continue reading, click here.