Florida Residents Hoping for End to Energy Restrictions

If the State Supreme Court rules in their favor, Florida residents may soon be legally able to purchase electricity from independently owned solar power companies.

Yesterday, the Florida Supreme Court listened to attorneys argue about the cost-effective, environmentally friendly aspects of solar power and the benefits of permitting residents to use it. Opponents of a constitutional amendment to make such an allowance say the amendment is contrary to state law.

Currently, Florida homeowners are relegated to rely on state-regulated utility providers.

Attorney Robert Nabors represents some 121,000 Florida residents who have formed a group known as Floridians for Solar Choice. The has compiled signatures for a "Solar Choice" ballot initiative, hoping to block the government or any utility companies from passing on rules or rate fees for solar plants.

Group officials indicate that an additional 110,000 signatures could soon be presented.

If the amendment is ruled constitutional, Florida residents would be able to put out 2 megawatts of solar power and in turn sell the power to neighboring homeowners or businesses.

The Florida Supreme Court will not decide whether the proposed amendment is sound or viable but whether the proposal is accurately spelled out and is confined to one subject.

One utility company advocate, former Florida Supreme Court Justice Stephen Grimes, asserted that the amendment would take away authority from the Public Service Commission and local governments, even though the ballot summary does not expressly say this.

"The ballot summary fails to advise the voter that small solar providers can completely ignore health, safety and building code regulations," said Grimes, speaking on behalf of the Florida Electric Cooperatives Association. "They didn't want the voters to know that."

In order for the proposed amendment to go before voters in the next election, solar power supporters have a Feb. 1, 2016, deadline to acquire 683,149 signatures. This, of course, is contingent on the court's affirmative ruling of the proposal.