FSEC Policy Advisory Board
Meeting Minutes

September 11, 2008

Attendees:    Judy Albertson, Paul Allen, Addison Bain, Griff Carrison, Sean Christiansen, Pete DeNapoli, Mike Draper, Bill Edmonds, Mike Faas (on behalf of Amy Long), John Fix, Steve Gorman, Leo Herrera, Colleen Kettles, Syd Kitson, Roger Messenger, Louis Rotundo, Joe Lee Smith (on behalf of Jim Drake), M.J. Soileau, Jeremy Susac (call in, on behalf of Alexander Mack)

Guests:    John Lisi & Bill Smoak (Intersil), Steve Precourt (Florida House)

1. Chairman Louis Rotundo called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and welcomed the Board members and guests.  PAB members and FSEC staff introduced themselves.
2. Minutes from the February 26, 2008, meeting were approved as submitted.
3. Jim Fenton gave a presentation on electricity forecasts, and two(2) upcoming reviews:  OPPAGA (Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability) review on September 29, 2008, and an External Review Team review on October 6-7, 2008, and both FSEC and UCF Main Campus.  Dr. Fenton also advised that the Florida Energy Office has now moved from DEP into the Governor’s Office.
4. Philip Fairey gave the presentation that was prepared by Jeremy Susac (also see call-in, paragraph 8).
   1. Review of HB 7135
   2. Executive Orders declaring the state’s commitment to be a leader in establishing greater energy security and reducing greenhouse gases.
5. Steve Precourt spoke about the new House leadership; Ray Sansom, Speaker of the House designate; policy being driven out of the Governor’s Office; good time to be in this arena; has heard some really good policy incentives, some pertaining to energy efficiency diversity.  Griff Carrison asked about a line item  for funding solar rebates.  Rep. Precourt advised that probably would not happen.  M.J. Soileau stated that the state policy sets the market for solar (California has 2,000+ PV companies).
6.  Jim Fenton discussed UCF’s Florida Energy Systems Consortium (FESC).
7.  Group broke for lunch at Noon and shared the buffet with the PV Installer Workshop attendees.
8. Jeremy Susac called in at 1:00 p.m. and joined the group in a discussion of HB 7135 and referred to his presentation, presented earlier by P. Fairey; discussed the Florida Energy & Climate Commission;  Solar Rebate Program; seeking funding from “green” governments grant program.  Pete DeNapoli asked if the current programs are tied to the RPS, to which Susac replied that they could be tied; and when DeNapoli inquired as to funding source, J. Susac replied “general revenue.”  J. Fenton asked about the process of generating Public Benefits Funds, and Susac replied that it is a Legislative process.  Louis R. asked when he saw the Governor coming out with the economic package, and Susac said he cannot say.
9. Louis suggested the Board appoint a small group of industry users who could come up with some recommendations of a procedure we can use to go back to the Legislature with between now and next session.  Suggested members are:  David Winslow, Amy Long, Syd Kitson, Pete DeNapoli, Paul Allen and Bill Smoak.
10. Louis recommended Tommy Boroughs to serve as the next Board Chair.  Steve Gorman nominated Tommy and Griff Carrison seconded.
11. Louis then recommended that Syd Kitson be nominated as Vice Chair, and Griff Carrison seconded.
12. Decision was made to post the meeting minutes on a PAB Web site, and links would be provided to all presentations.
13. Louis then suggested that the next PAB meeting be held in February, before the Legislative session begins and it was so agreed.  Louis said he would ask Carolyn Burby to poll the Board in early January for their availability for a meeting date some time end of February.
14. Meeting adjourned at 2:15 p.m.

    Respectfully submitted,

    Louis Rotundo
    Chairman

LR/JMF:cjb

11/19/08

Minutes Archive

• February 26, 2008