New Website Explains Utility Industry's Tricky Solar Amendment on November Ballot
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Oct. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Cynical. Misleading. A wolf in sheep's clothing.
Those are just a few descriptions of Florida's Amendment 1 ballot initiative. That last phrase, "a wolf in sheep's clothing," was used by Florida Supreme Court Justice Barbara J. Pariente, in her written dissent to a narrow 4–3 decision by the court that barely allowed Amendment 1 to appear on the November ballot.
Florida Consumers can visit a new website at www.SmartSolarFlorida.org to learn how Amendment 1 misleads voters. The website answers several false claims made by advocates for the ballot initiative.
Amendment 1's opponents claim that the amendment's wording is intentionally confusing. The wording appears to strongly favor both consumers and consumer-owned solar energy systems. But it really doesn't. If Amendment 1 passes, some tricky language in the amendment will have exactly the opposite effect.
The real purpose of Amendment 1 is to kill solar power in Florida.
If passed, Amendment 1 will give lawyers for Florida's big electric utility companies a legal argument to end "net metering." Net metering is a state program that allows rooftop solar power system owners to get credit on their electric bills for any excess solar electricity generated by their solar panels.
Net metering makes rooftop solar power a better deal for consumers.
The Amendment 1 ballot initiative is being pushed by Florida's big investor-owned electric utility companies, including Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy, Gulf Power and Tampa Electric Company.
www.SmartSolarFlorida.org was created by American Solar, a Florida-based solar contracting company with over 30 years experience and thousands of Florida customers. American Solar, headquartered in Jacksonville, has offices in Northeast Florida, Central Florida and Brevard County. American Solar is a member of the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association, which opposes Amendment 1.
"Voters need to understand that Amendment 1 is a wolf in sheep's clothing, created by Florida's electric utility industry to kill consumer-owned rooftop solar power," said Jeff Prutsman, American Solar's CEO. We created www.SmartSolarflorida.org to provide clear, easy to understand answers to the false claims being made by the promoters of this amendment," he added.
"Voters who believe clean, renewable energy is important for Florida's future should vote 'No' on Amendment 1," said Prutsman.
SOURCE American Solar
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