Thread by @alissajean

FPL's anti-solar bill is up in House State Administration and Technology Appropriations Subcommittee starting now. You can watch here: thefloridachannel.org

McClure is presenting the bill, Chair has indicated there is a lot of public comment up ahead.

Goff-Marcil asking how solar customers are impacting nonsolar customers. McClure answers w/ the millions of dollars talking point that FPL has been pushing. Note that FPL has never raised these "millions" in any rate case.

McClure indicates he is hoping for a future amendment (not in this stop) that gives a "glide path"

F. Robinson wants to be clear that the bill will not change the solar industry now. McClure clarifies that bill as it currently is does not include glide path but he hopes to change that. Says he has had "over 300 hrs" of stakeholder mtgs but doesn't have that proposed language.

[The previous tweet is confusing, sorry for that, in part because Chair Stevenson kept interrupting Robinson for some reason. Strange.]

Overdorf asks if net metering is a regressive policy, McClure states that yes, it is.

Overdorf asks if bill applies to municipal utilities. Answer - No, only investor-owned.

Hinson asks if the bill reduces retail credit for solar to the wholesale rate. McClure says "no" which is incredibly strange given the conversation around this bill up to this point. The bill as it is written would drastically reduce the credit, regardless of what you call it.

McClure again references his upcoming language for the next committee stop. Alright folks, who has this language draft? Draft legislation is subject to public records law so let's see it.

Campbell asks how the bill impacts small businesses in the industry. Stevenson interjects, challenging if Campbell doesn't already know the answer to that question. Again, strange behavior for a Chair.

McClure says he "probably leans towards wouldn't go out of business" but raise your hand if you're still worried despite McClure's assurance, given that FPL wrote the bill.

Duggan asks for preview of the amendment. McClure says it is a glide path, reducing credits as they go, and finally going before PSC for implementation. We will need to see, but sounds similar to Sen. Bradley's. All still dismantles rooftop solar completely, per FPL's suggestion.

McClure says that studies on the topic are really depends on the eye of the beholder and we need to dig into who is doing the research. Pretty rich statement considering the authors of the bill have huge financial interests in the end of rooftop solar.

McCurdy asks if a compromise as promised has happened. McClure says he sure hopes so, conceptually "agreed to by both parties" but not in this committee as this is not normally a policy committee.

If you are a Dem that has agreed to the proposed mystery amendment to FPL's anti-solar bill, as McClure just alluded to, would love to hear from you!

Numerous individuals and orgs here. All waiving in opposition. AIF (top recipient of utility $$$) waves in support.

Sunnova employee here in opposition. Opposed to the bill as it is, believes it will be destructive to the solar industry. Say that rate case is the right venue for addressing concern over cost shift. Utilities have NEVER identified net metering as a cost shift in rate case.

Duggan asks speaker if he disagrees with McClure's numbers. Speaker explains he hasn't seen the process by which the figures are arrived at, highlighting a question to the utilities we have heard frequently: "show us the math"

FlaSEIA representative up, states he is having nightly conversations with installers around the state worried about the future of their jobs.

FlaSEIA highlights a new program just approved with the dept of education to train new solar installers. Says we have a lot to be proud of and folks should continue to pressure McClure.

Hinson asks to clarify how it impacts the industry. FlaSEIA rep says it will depend on what the amendment is. Reduction of credit will lower demand for solar which means less work.

Speaker from Miami urges that if we want a free and above water future, vote no on this bill.

Cleo Insitute employee highlights the climate impacts that are already being felt. Need to encourage everyday people to transition to solar.

Another ghost candidate reference + Theodore Hayes....... IYKYK - "there in support"

Two cards from FPL reps in support of the bill but they are not in the room to speak despite cards being marked "wish to appear in person" per Chair.

Hearing from Lisa Edgar yet again (a regular in all committee stops for this bill) Edgar authored a report with utility front group Energy Fairness. energyandpolicy.org/energy-fairnes…

Volunteer from @LWVFlorida here in opposition. Says the league has a long history of working on solar and that there needs to be a comprehensive study, not premature sweeping changes.

Kim Ross from @RethinkEnergyFL here, cites the total amount FPL paid solar customers in one year, as filed with the PSC, just over $65k. While customers got an 18% rate incease PLUS 1.1 billion increase in gas prices.

Ross continues - Customers are not subsidizing solar, they are subsidizing gas. This bill is not the answer.

Another Cleo Institute employee up, citing failing infrastructure and climate impacts already being felt. Rooftop solar industry supports thousands of jobs but is still in its infancy. Bill only benefits greedy monopoly utilities. Vote no.

College student opposed to bill, says is the first time she has testified, & wouldn't be doing it unless it was very important. Application of solar is a reliable tool for resilience. Net metering is not a problem that needs solving. Bill is funded by utility for their interest.

A couple other speakers in opposition, Chair rushing folks along. Sunrun employee is now up wanting to clarify difference between cost and cost shift. Says that cost and benefits need to be established as step one. Has not happened in FL.

Speakers' time has been reduced to 30 seconds.

Next speaker says that FPL's talking points of cost shifts are all myths. Mic turned off and he is escorted away for going over 30 seconds.

Next speaker uses his time to protest the 30 second time limit. "took me more time to put my socks in my suitcase" The bill "is baloney!"

Solar installer up. Says this bill would have a devastating impact to his industry. Current "grandfathering" clause is to short.

.@votesolar @KOttenweller "absolutely refutes" the 100 million figure being pushed by FPL. Additionally, majority of customers going solar are making well under 100k a year.

Next speaker in opposition "where are the numbers at? Vote no"

The youngest speakers I have possibly ever seen in Tally, in strong opposition, urging lawmakers to save solar!

Next speaker highlights further concerns over grandfathering period.

.@SierraClubFL says that the bill will make solar out of reach for most folks.

Veteran and solar company owner up, highlights nearly 4k veterans employed by the industry with their jobs now at risk.

Next speaker says that bill is backed by misinformation from FPL.

.@jonwebber of @FCVoters up says that the cost shift argument from FPL does not add up. Solar customers are actually cheaper to serve. Cites workshop held recently by PSC and that the regulators declined to change the rule.

Next solar installer up sharing examples of how rooftop solar is used by many low to moderate-income families.

Solar home owner up now, speaking in opposition. Begins speaking about local businesses but his mic is cut off.

Next speaker is solar company owner, stating that the bill would kill his company, today, right now.

Student from Mast Academy up speaking in opposition, would prevent his school from the chance to save $$ through solar, as they currently plan to.

Miami Dade PTA leader - "This bill is about schools. FPL attended our mtgs." FPL is worried about schools going solar.

Another very young student speaking in opposition to the bill, also on behalf of his brother who wanted to be there "but he broke his arm." Get better soon, buddy!!!! Sending well wishes from twitter.

.@GeorgeCavros of @cleanenergyorg warns lawmakers to be careful here, this information can not adequately be covered in a 60 day session. Opposes bill.

Whew. We are now in debate.

Campbell has concerns around the bill. If bill means that folks lose their jobs he will be voting down on the bill. Interested to see the amendment referenced, but no vote today.

Hinson states that FL should be the leader in solar and in the solar industry. Need to move away from fossil fuels. Can't afford to guess at this. Need study.

Goff-Marcil says she is very excited by the interest in solar, says was an important part of her campaign. Need to think about policy moving forward "but this isn't it." Is a no vote.

McCurdy - Gives examples of selling used cars, as is. And he, therefore, votes "as is" and will be a no vote today. Interested to see the amendment.

F. Robinson says this is a very challenging issue. Thinks we need a study. Concerned about subsidies. Wants to see the amendment.

Fischer - PSC is an arm of the legislature and it's important for us to tell them to look into something like this. Says solar is for people who are largely well off, in direct contradiction to numerous testimonies heard minutes ago.

Overdorf says he's only looking at the financial aspect because of what the committee is supposed to be focused on, will be voting yes and looking for amendment.

Chair emphasizes that this committee is not the place for policy changes to the language. Pardon my ignorance, but does anybody have examples to back this up? I generally see each and every committee stop for a bill as a chance for substantial changes to be made. But LMK! :-)

McClure closes saying that he isn't preventing anybody from going solar, despite the fact that this bill, as it stands, would make sure that only wealthy folks could afford solar.

Bill passes with only 5 Nays. I believe the Nays were four Dems in the Committee plus Sabatini (R.) As per usual, I'll post the vote record when avail.

In the meantime:

And here is the final vote record:

@threadreaderapp unroll pls