Advocates Applaud New Report Highlighting Corruption in Politics in FL
Contact: Jennifer Rennicks, Director of Policy & Communications, 865.235.1448, Jennifer@cleanenergy.org
Tallahassee, Fla. – Earlier today, the nonpartisan government watchdog group Integrity Florida released a research report titled “Power Play: Political influence of Florida’s top energy corporations”. The report concludes that the Florida State Legislature increasingly set its agenda and policy outcomes based on the directives of large political donors rather than the public interest. The report is posted here: http://bit.ly/FLPowerPlay
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy’s executive director, Dr. Stephen A. Smith, issued this statement in support of today’s report and its findings.
“This report confirms what happens when millions of dollars are strategically targeted by big utilities at key legislators in order to impact policy outcomes. It has become pay-for-play politics at its worst and is far from serving the best interests of consumers.
A few specific examples of how this undue influence impacts policy in Florida are highlighted in the report: less freedom to generate your own rooftop solar power, less energy efficiency savings for customers, money for nothing nuclear, and the utilities ability to handpick members of the Public Service Commission.
The real issue is what is happening to the public interest in Tallahassee: do we have elected officials and public service commissioners acting as honest independent players or are they captive agents of the utilities? The Integrity Florida report documents a track record that is of great concern.”
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Founded in 1985, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy is a nonprofit organization that promotes responsible energy choices that create global warming solutions and ensure clean, safe, and healthy communities throughout the Southeast. Learn more at www.cleanenergy.org