FPLs anti solar bill SB 1024 is up in Community Affairs. Room is at capacity. Crowds outside opposed to the bill because it completely dismantles the current rooftop solar policy.
Bradley explaining her amendment, states it provided a step down to reducing solar credits. No questions. Solar industry speaker opposed.
Speaker is @tysonagrinstead of SunRun, explaining problems with amendment. Says it eliminates savings for solar customers and assumes there is a subsidy, which has not been proven by a cost study.
Amendment adopted with no objection.
Farmer asks if Bradley would consider market penetration approach instead of years for step down.
Bradley says she is “always willing to sit down and consider.” States this is not an “if” but a “when” - thinks 7 years step down in solar credit is a good faith attempt.
Bradley clarifies that this policy will ultimately end up before the PSC for implementation.
Cruz says she sees this bill as utilities anticipating more people going solar and wanting to get those customers into a wholesale rate for the solar being generated by customers’ panels.
Meanwhile crowd outside opposed to FPLs anti solar bill is growing. Pic from @angdemonbreun 
Public comment is beginning. Stack of cards waiving against. AIF, top recipient of FPL political contributions, is for the bill, as is CEA, utility front group.
Solar installer up cites Nevada example and massive job losses over similar policy change.
Cruz asks how this bills sinks industry. Installer explains the proposed credit system cuts savings for customer and makes it less attractive/affordable for customer. Would make it only available for rich people.
Solar installer with a brand new solar company up. Says it’s a dream killer for their business based on a false premise. Cost shift numbers being pushed by FPL are not correct, math does not add up.
“Make them prove their math before you destroy an industry”
South Florida installer up also talking about the “false premise” being pushed by FPL. Says bill is simply to solidify monopoly for the utility.
Lisa Edgar up, states she is representing herself, despite having authored Energy Fairness anti net metering report that was cited by Rep McClure when this whole thing kicked off with a workshop at the PSC.
Farmer asks Edgar is there is any situation in which she has or will receive money from any utility, Edgar says no. That would not include a utility front group…
Another solar installer up, 15 local dealers throughout the state. Says bill is a solution in search of a problem. Net metering was not raised as a cost in the most recent rate case, or any utility anywhere, ever.
FlaSEIA President and solar industry speaker up. Says the glide path does not fix the problem and pushes the industry off a ledge.
Another solar installer up. Says he appreciates the olive branch amendment, but utilities are always looking for a way to get out of net metering and therefore he doesn’t trust the math being pushed by proponents of the bill.
John Grant up, representing support from pop up group Seniors Across America, funding still unknown… Thanks Bradley for bill.
Another solar installer up. Recalls last solar attack but was happy voters saw the truth. Says cost shift argument this time around is still false, not existent, but this time it’s not up to voters.
Another solar installer up, says this bill puts his 150 employees out of work, even as amended.
Next solar installer is veteran, proud to also employ veterans. This bill would kill their company. Asks committee to strike down bill and support veterans.
Next speaker says it’s a job killer and jobs can’t be replaced by Amazon pop ups.
Daughter of a solar contractor up now. Knows first hand how well solar works and what it can do. Says it’s about keeping money in her pocket over her lifetime, a matter of choice.
Now her dad is up. In addition to contractor, he is a solar instructor. Has spent millions with suppliers over the years. Explains he is still paying utility fees every month, just like all solar customers.
Continues stating that legislators have not done their homework and are just listening to utility lobbyists and campaign contributions.
Now @jonwebber up explaining this bill is a vote against what most constituents want. Explains cost shift premise is false. Cites Duke study and that net metering does not come up in rate cases.
Teacher up. Explains that solar can be a cost saving measure for school. It should not be crippled. School districts want to be able to take advantage of this technology.
Now @SolarNeighbors up. Says current policy helps folks control their energy costs, many making less than 50k a year. Customers already pay a minimum bill.
“Net metering is a net benefit” Former PSC JR Kelly said the same in the recent net metering workshop at PSC.
Now @SierraClubFL up, also opposed. Bill is designed to kill rooftop solar, massive job loss, multi billion dollar impact to state.
Missed tweeting a few speakers because I delivered my own comment, reminding folks of FPLs connections to ongoing criminal investigations and that this bill is only designed to pad the company bottom line.
City Commissioner @jvellana up, city passed resolution against bill unanimously and we need every tool in toolbox to deal with energy costs and climate change.
Former PSC member Leon Jacob’s up, urges committee to take a level headed approach. Opposes the bill.
Audubon Florida waives in opposition.
Public testimony done. Farmer kicks off debate 1:20 into mtg. Citing many benefits of solar. Need to make solar energy a bigger part of our plan. Impacts over 40k jobs. Is persuaded to oppose bill because there is no rate relief to customers, but FPL gets guaranteed profit.
Farmer, we’re getting our ears talked off on this issue. We need a study on the “real” costs. Cannot support.
Brodeur says he wants to keep folks employees but thinks current policy is not fair, wants to know real costs. Wants to vote “interested” but can’t so will support.
Hutson encourages industry to get with Bradley, says that they (solar) seem to just want the “status quo”
Bradley closing. Concedes that this did not come up in rate case because that “is not the venue” (note that rate cases do include a whole bunch of stuff, like millions in trade associations dues)
Committee votes on party lines, Dems opposed, bill passes.
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