FSEC Policy Advisory Board
Meeting Minutes

October 25, 2010

Attendees: Paul Allen, John Anderson, Sena Black, Tommy Boroughs, Griff Carrison, James Fenton, Gary Freeman, Nick Guarriello, C.T. Hsu, Larry Hufford, Colleen Kettles, Jim Lentz, Alexander Mack (on phone), Buck Martinez (on phone), Kevin Noonan, Ed Regan, Louis Rotundo, M.J. Soileau, Lynda Weatherman

Guests: Sharon Smeenk (FMPA), Brian Malvaney, Kyle Morse (L. Rotundo), Joseph Pietrzak (Progress Energy)

Chairman Tommy Boroughs called the meeting to order at 10:09 a.m. and welcomed the Board members and guests. PAB members, guests and FSEC staff introduced themselves. Alexander Mack joined via conference call
Larry Hufford, CEO of Life Style Homes, was introduced and an update on the discussion of his Zero Energy Homes. He gave a report that while the market was down 40% his sales were up 19% for energy efficient homes.
James Fenton asks that everyone update their information and have pictures taken for the online PAB site and to also have a short bio sent to us to have it posted on the website. It’s noted that personal information is not given out to people/public.
Motion made and seconded to approve the Minutes of the February 19, 2010 meeting. Minutes approved as submitted.
Tommy stated that we had no summer meeting as we thought we would hold the meeting in conjunction with a special legislative session that never occurred.
James Fenton showed the FSEC videos, The Cost of Doing Nothing (http://vimeo.com/14676549) and The Green Jobs Map (http://vimeo.com/16102278). Ed Regan asked is there was a plan to use these videos? Fenton says there is no aggressive plan to show these videos. Lynda Weatherman wanted to show her executive board and get it out to her peers. Tommy asked if Lynda could get all the Florida EDC’s these videos. Jim Lentz states that focus should be on educating appraisers and lenders to the value of energy efficient homes. James Fenton let everyone know there are more videos (56) available on energy efficiency and renewable energy at the following Web site: http://vimeo.com/fsec/videos/sort:plays/format:detail
http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/about/pab/2010-02-19/agenda.htm.
Sena Black (http://www.eflorida.com/Clean_Energy.aspx?id=8516) from Enterprise Florida was introduced and gave a presentation that discusses Economic Development and Job Creation. The powerpoint slides are available here. In Clean Tech, Florida has a ground floor opportunity instead of the usual trying to play catch up with other states. When Clean Tech was first started the focus was alternative energy, but now Clean Tech has alternative energy, water and air technologies. CA is a leader because they have a lot of multiple drivers, CA is entrepreneurial and leads in R&D. Clusters are very important. It’s a “startup culture”, an innovation base. Clean Tech is a five-year strategic plan for Florida. It’s not just R&D, but commercialization as well.
Tommy moved on to the discussion of Federal Energy Legislation and Upcoming Energy Issues for the State of Florida. It is unlikely that any legislation on renewable portfolio standards will occur in a special session, but the FSEC PAB should encourage the legislature in the right direction. A major difficult in getting legislative action has been a united voice on renewable energy. There was much discussion among the members as to why bills have not passed, but the consensus is that we are cautiously optimistic that a bill will be passed, the issue is when!
Discussion occurred of a draft statement by the FSEC PAB entitled “Establishing a Market for Renewable Energy: Investing in Florida’s Future Economic Sustainability.” The final statement copied below was passed by the member with no negative votes and four abstentions as the abstaining members could not bind their organizations by a vote.

“Establishing a Market for Renewable Energy:
Investing in Florida's Future Economic Sustainability

It is imperative for Florida's economic sustainability that the State of Florida establishes and incentivizes a renewable energy goal that establishes a marketplace for renewable energy. Without a strong renewable energy market in Florida, the high-wage manufacturing, engineering, and research and development jobs for renewable energy products will go elsewhere. Clean energy technologies create jobs, attract new industry investment and diversify fuel types, reducing the state's dependence on imported fossil fuels. From a competitive perspective, 35 other states and the District of Columbia have renewable energy goals - Florida does not. If we do not quickly establish a strong renewable energy market place within Florida, the high paying jobs associated with this industry will likely be lost to Floridians forever."
Break for lunch at 12:15 p.m. and reconvened at 1:05 p.m.
Joseph Pietrzak from Progress Energy presented the Sun Smart E-Shelter Plus-Up presentation. Many of the utilities have the ok to move on with the concepts of the programs, but final approval will come from the Florida Public Service Commission. Progress Energy is setting aside $2.4 million for school programs, $2.2 million on PV incentives, $1.5 on solar thermal initiatives and a little on research and demonstration projects for a combined total of $6.4 million per year on this demand side portfolio. Solar water heating with Energy Wise which is direct load and solar heating. With this program (combining solar with direct load control) the customer gets the benefit of the energy savings and the utilities get the benefit of the demand reduction. Customers with an installed water heater and a direct load control will get a $550 one time rebate and then a $60/year after that. The other utilities have all submitted similar programs and have the same components. Many of the utilities are hoping to collaborate with FSEC and the E-Shelter Program and allow more than the 90 emergency school shelters that have 10kW PV systems with battery backup. The program incorporates energy education and training and allows the students to use actual systems data in the classroom.
C.T Hsu announced the SWE National Convention.
Regan attended a meeting called Solar Power Nationals with 25K people and 2/3 were from outside of the United States and the main topic was all about jobs and that China really is taking over and “eating Florida for lunch”. Even other states are “eating Florida for lunch” and Florida is ideal for many reasons. Lynda Weatherman states that other states are much more sophisticated and Florida is getting behind. (MJ Soileau went to Denver, CO (NREL) with members from Central Florida EDCs to learn what they are doing in Colorado).
Griff Carrison suggested that FSEC get the word out about the benefits of renewable energy to “Tiger Bay Clubs” as well as other events where leaders in the business community and in government meet.
Tommy Boroughs recommends the next PAB meeting be held in February or March so that we can have some kind of idea of what be happening in the legislature.
MJ Soileau talked about a proposal to DOE to establish an industrial led PV Manufacturing Consortium in Florida as a partnership with Sematech and UCF/FSEC. Florida and New York are involved and its $1/2 Billion over 5 years. Two goals: 1) It is to drive the cost of production down to grid parity and 2) To establish a manufacturing base in this country. Good support from the state. The proposal is in and decision will be made by the end of December.
Meeting adjourned at 2:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tommy Boroughs,
Chairman

FSEC Policy Advisory Board Meeting Minutes

FSEC Policy Advisory Board
Meeting Minutes