Thread by @JimRosicaFL

Financial Impact Estimating Conference (FIEC) now starting workshop on proposed const. amendment: “Right to Competitive Energy Market for Customers of Investor-Owned Utilities; Allowing Energy Choice.”
#FlaPol

Here is amendment's Div. of Election web page:
dos.elections.myflorida.com/initiatives/in…
#FlaPol

"Grants customers of investor-owned utilities the right to choose their electricity provider and to generate and sell electricity." #FlaPol

Sponsor of amendment is Citizens for Energy Choices: James A. Patton Jr, Chair.
Its lawyer calls it the "energy choice amendment."
#FlaPol

Bottom line: "It will result in lower electricity prices for residents," he says. #FlaPol

Rich Blaser with Infinite Energy says the amendment, if passed, will break up the electric "monopolies." #FlaPol

Says it will also promote more 'green' energy production. Renewable power as in Texas, etc. #FlaPol

Texas is saving over $5 billion annually. They did something similar. To promote Green power, Blaser adds, "we must break up state-sponsored monopolies." #FlaPol

Amy Baker asks would the electric "Grid" operator be a state entity or a nonprofit? In Texas it is a nonprofit, Blaser said. But Baker intimates that means out of state operator would be in control of Fla's grid.
#FlaPol

Supporter says "Specifics are for the Legislature to consider": We're already worried about the implementing bill lawmakers would pass if this amendment clears the ballot.
#FlaPol

#FlaPol
From the amendment text (proposed):

Now parsing meaning of term "investor-owned utilities." Called IOUs. These are what the @floridapsc regulates. #FlaPol

@floridapsc Amy Baker says energy choice is not a const'l right in Texas. This initiative would make it a Fla. const'l right.
...So who's responsible if competition doesn't happen? Was told not a shortage of competitors there (tho that's natural gas, not electric).
#FlaPol

@floridapsc More concerns from Amy Baker: Is there a right to pick from multiple providers? How do you "guarantee" such a right? Was told it wasn't a problem in other places. #FlaPol

@floridapsc Q: Would the state have to "create" an electric provider to ensure competition? [Sounds like a Citizens example as in insurance.]
A: No.
#FlaPol

@floridapsc Baker: "...I'm worried that if there is not a choice would the state have to develop that role itself?"
A: "...I'm happy to do more research but that's just something we haven't seen."
#FlaPol

@floridapsc Senate's Jose Diez-Arguelles asks questions, then talk turns to opt-in, opt-out provisions, as in , question: can a utility customer not choose choice and just keep current provider? A: Yes. #FlaPol

@floridapsc The @floridapsc 's Mark Futrell at lectern to explain current regulatory structure. #FlaPol

@floridapsc Baker muses if the amendment passes would there be any reason for @floridapsc to continue existing? Futrell basically says, it depends. #FlaPol

@floridapsc French Brown for Fla. Chamber opposes amendment, says measure was beat previously at @FloridaCRC "Now, here we are..." Says competition in electric hasn't worked, cost consumers more money. #FlaPol

@floridapsc @FloridaCRC Brown says, ominously, "The outcome will not be positive."
#FlaPol

@floridapsc @FloridaCRC Brings up issue of possible new taxes, may need supermajority of both chambers under another new amendment that passed last year. "There's no need to create such uncertainty." #FlaPol

@floridapsc @FloridaCRC AIF's Brewster Bevis stands in opposition, says large industrial consumers need certainty on power this amendment does not offer. "Electricity is crucial to the state's economy." #FlaPol

@floridapsc @FloridaCRC Calls the amendment "the wrong answer" for all of Florida's electric customers. Also says regulation of power is actually a good thing, for pricing and supply, safety and reliability. Texas has "rolling blackouts," requiring power from Mexico. #FlaPol

@floridapsc @FloridaCRC Economist Hank Fishkind opposes amendment, saying electricity can't be successfully deregulated. Look at Texas, dereg'ed in 2002, evidence shows prices go up, reliability goes down, & it "changes risk." #FlaPol

@floridapsc @FloridaCRC Utilities pay a lot of ad valorem tax, they are among the biggest tax payers, this would hurt state, local revenues, he says. This kind of competition "doesn't make sense ... we're not there yet." #FlaPol

@floridapsc @FloridaCRC ...I've reached the end of my time here but the show goes on at The @floridachannel here --> thefloridachannel.org
#FlaPol

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