HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2022-027 Opposing Senate Bill 1024 and House Bill 741 Which Decimate Net Energy Metering and Expansion of Rooftop Solar EnergyRESOLUTION NO.2022-027
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DANIA
BEACH, FLORIDA, OPPOSING FLORIDA SENATE BILL NO. 1024 AND
COMPANION BILL HOUSE BILL NO. 741 IN THE FLORIDA
LEGISLATURE, WHICH SEEK TO DECIMATE NET ENERGY METERING
AND THE EXPANSION OF ROOFTOP SOLAR ENERGY; PROVIDING FOR
CONFLICTS; FURTHER, PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Net Energy Metering ("NEM") is designed to support the installation of
customer -sited renewable energy generation; and
WHEREAS, NEM allows electricity customers to generate power themselves with
rooftop solar and offset it against the electricity they buy from their utility and then they
ultimately save money on their utility bills and receive bill credits for excess solar power
generated they do not use and is then shared with the power grid to serve nearby customers; and
WHEREAS, NEM is what has allowed solar to become increasingly accessible to low and
moderate income households in Florida and empowers Floridians to have choices in how they receive and
pay for electricity; and
WHEREAS, Florida is one of 47 states in the United States that allow homeowners and
business owners to produce power and sell it back to the energy grid and providers; and
WHEREAS, the rooftop solar industry supports sustained economic development throughout
the State by generating over $18 billion to the Florida's economy and net metering supports over 40,500
direct and indirect jobs in Florida; and
WHEREAS, the Florida solar industry has the second largest solar workforce in the United States
and provides over 11,000 direct jobs, as reported by the 11th Annual National Solar Jobs Census; and
WHEREAS, Senate Bill ("SB") 1024, and its related bill, House Bill ("HB") 741, have
been filed for consideration during the 2022 Florida State Legislative Session; and
WHEREAS, these proposals, as introduced, would slash the credits that customers
receive for sharing their excess electricity with the power grid, thereby making customer -sited
renewable energy more expensive, increasing the amount of time it takes for customers to pay
off their solar systems, and significantly diminishing the installation of distributed solar in
Florida; and
WHEREAS, many in the solar industry, homeowners, and providers oppose legislation
that restricts the expansion of rooftop solar in Florida and organizations in opposition include but
are not limited to the League of Women Voters Florida, Florida Conservation Voters, the
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Solar United Neighbors, Catalyst Miami, the CLEO
Institute, and Vote Solar; and
WHEREAS, Environmental and Climate Justice Chair of the Florida NAACP Florida
State Conference, Lewis Jennings, wrote "Power companies' attack on home -based solar energy
demonstrates their continued insistence that their customers rely on outdated, dangerous sources
of energy that put Florida closer to the devastating consequences of climate change which poses
an even greater threat to minorities and disadvantaged communities, as they will experience the
first and worst damage from the warming climate; and
WHEREAS, for the sake of these vulnerable communities, Florida must ensure that
important clean energy policies are preserved and advanced and the Legislature should stop this
unfair, unwanted attack on net metering and the Florida communities who benefit from it; and
WHEREAS, expanding access to rooftop solar in the City of Dania Beach will support
resiliency, provide environmental and public health benefits by reducing air emissions, lessen the
impacts of the climate crisis, avoid the need to build costly power generation, add value directly
to the local economy by supporting local job creation, and contribute to the achievement of
reliability and clean energy goals; and
WHEREAS, we are in a climate change crisis and need to make the transition to clean
energy more accessible and affordable for everyday Floridians with every tool possible which
includes rooftop solar;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF DANIA BEACH, FLORIDA:
Section 1. That the above "Whereas" clauses are ratified and confirmed, and they are
made a part of and incorporated into this Resolution by this reference.
Section 2. That the City Commission of the City of Dania Beach urges the Florida
Legislature to oppose Senate Bill 1024, House Bill 741 or similar legislation that would decimate
net energy metering and the expansion of rooftop solar energy in Florida.
Section 3. That the City Commission directs the City Clerk to transmit a copy of this
resolution to the Florida Governor, the Board of County Commissioners for Broward County, the
2 RESOLUTION #2022-027
Florida League of Cities, the Broward League of Cities and to the Broward County delegation of
the Florida Legislature for distribution.
Section 4. That all resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict with this Resolution
are repealed to the extent of such conflict.
Section 5. That this Resolution shall take effect and be in force immediately upon its
passage and adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED on February 22, 2022.
ATTEST:
THOMAS SCHNEIDER, CMC
CITY CLERK
�BUSH�y
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
EYE A. B UTSIS
CLTX ATTORNEY
AMARA JAMES
MAYOR
RESOLUTION #2022-027