Press Mention Bradenton Herald September 12, 2003
SACE Quoted
Forum held on Florida energy policies
In this mention
A public workshop in St. Petersburg convened elected officials, civic leaders, and energy professionals to discuss Florida's energy policies and future needs. Susan Glickman, Florida spokeswoman for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, emphasized conservation and public education on energy-saving products and practices as critical first steps. Speakers highlighted the potential for energy-efficient appliances to reduce consumption by 25–40 percent and lower electricity bills.
The first step is conservation. There's so much that we can do in Florida.
Susan Glickman
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Full transcript
Forum held on Florida energy policies
Workshop speakers discuss how the state can meet future energy needs
MATT GRISWOLD
Herald Staff Writer
ST. PETERSBURG - Florida lags other states in developing energy policies, and the delay could jeopardize the state's economic health, Joe McClash said Friday.
McClash, a Manatee County commissioner, told a forum on energy and the environment that low-energy-consumption air conditioners and water heaters should become part of public policy.
"A 25- to 30-percent reduction in energy bills equates to a 25- to 30-percent drop in pollution," he said. "The energy policy for Florida is not a feel-good thing. It's for the survival of Florida."
State Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, and chairman of the Senate Committee on Communication and Public Utilities, said he is concerned that nothing will come out of the series of 11 workshops in August and September.
Bennett plans on introducing legislation this year that will address issues discussed Friday.
"Florida needs a strong energy institute," he said.
Susan Glickman, the Florida spokeswoman for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, said a big part of moving forward is educating the public on energy conservation products available and energy-saving practices at work and at home.
"The first step is conservation," Glickman said. "There's so much that we can do in Florida."
The three speakers joined about 60 people - elected officials, civic leaders and energy professionals - at a public workshop held by the
Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Energy Office
to seek public input on how Floridians can meet the state's future
energy needs.
McClash said Floridians consume more energy from air conditioning
use than any other state. Air conditioning and water heating are, by
far, the two biggest draws on energy supply and what makes up
much of people's electricity bills.
Energy-saving appliances are readily available and need to become
the standard in Florida households and businesses, the attendees
seemed to agree.
"(The appliances) can reduce energy consumption by as much as 30
or 40 percent," McClash said.
What about the hefty price tags on those "green" appliances?
"The bottom line is that it reduces operating expenses more than it
increases the cost of installing," he said.