PACE Shares Energy Message with Florida Leaders

In a presentation yesterday to the Center-Right Coalition, PACE Director of State Operations Abbie MacIver delivered the message that smart energy policy begins with a strong consumer presence. The Tallahassee-based coalition held its meeting at the James Madison Institute.

“PACE was formed to ensure that the voices of consumers are heard as leaders determine what our future will be,” MacIver, a Florida native, told the group. “As Florida prepares to add five million more people in the next fifteen years and as our economy continues growing, it is critical that we have the affordable and reliable energy it takes to succeed.”

In past months, PACE has written extensively about energy policy in Florida and has called for debate that focuses on consumer outcomes. MacIver highlighted those messages, describing the role of regulation in shaping tomorrow’s energy options and focusing on the need to promote a diverse group of energy resources. She also pointed out that Florida is number one in solar energy capacity among states that lack renewable energy mandates, despite claims from the solar industry that the state lags behind in solar.

Leading off the agenda was Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, who is tasked with leading the state’s energy policy efforts through the Office of Energy. Commissioner Putnam addressed the progress Florida has made in the past fifteen years, including growth encouraged by low-cost, reliable power. He referenced Florida’s fast rebound from the national economic recession, despite having been hit harder initially than almost any other state.

Putnam also credited Florida’s policy makers for smart decisions on energy policy and for resisting the urge to follow energy fads that proved in many states to be mistakes. Specifically, Commissioner Putnam mentioned the importance of natural gas storage to Florida, an asset that helps to maintain power reliability during events such as hurricanes when natural gas pipelines to the state could be non-operational.

“It is important to share the truth about Florida’s energy picture with those taking a leadership role in the state,” explains MacIver. “PACE looks forward to being a bigger part of the conversation in Florida moving forward.”