On April 27, Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed House Bill 741, which would have undercut Florida’s growing rooftop solar market by phasing down net metering and allowing utilities to charge potentially unlimited fees on thousands of solar customers in the state.
Solar advocates pushed back against the bill from the start, organizing protests at the state capitol and other efforts.
In his veto letter, DeSantis wrote, “Given that the United States is experiencing its worst inflation in 40 years and that consumers have seen steep increases in the price of gas and groceries, as well as escalating bills, the state of Florida should not contribute to the financial crunch that our citizens are experiencing.”
Many solar industry groups expressed their relief at the action.
“The rooftop solar industry employs more than 9,000 Floridians and gives every Florida resident the freedom to choose how they generate and use electricity. Governor DeSantis understands the value of solar as an economic engine and a powerful tool for energy independence here in the Sunshine State. His decision to veto this bill will allow our industry to continue growing and give more homeowners in our state the chance to lower their electric bills with solar,” said Justin Vandenbroeck, president of the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association.
“Today, Governor DeSantis helped secure the livelihoods of thousands of solar workers and protected the rights of Floridians to lower their electricity bills with solar. Florida is one of the fastest-growing solar markets in the country with new businesses popping up all across the state. This veto signals that Florida’s energy economy is open for business, and that the rights of state residents should be placed ahead of monopoly utility interests,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of SEIA.
“We’re thankful for the tens of thousands of Florida residents who have spoken up against this harmful legislation since it was introduced last fall,” said Heaven Campbell, Florida State Director for Solar United Neighbors. “This victory is a testament to what can be accomplished when people from all backgrounds and political affiliations come together in support of fair, common-sense policy.”
“By vetoing this anti-net metering bill today, Governor DeSantis protected Floridians’ rights to energy freedom and ensured solar energy remains a strong economic force and job creator in the Sunshine State,” said Tyler Duvelius, director of external affairs for the Conservative Energy Network. “Net metering gives Floridians access to clean, affordable energy and provides an element of choice and competition in the energy market. The practice reduces strain on the grid and diversifies energy sources, benefiting all energy consumers, not only those with rooftop solar.”
Updated with FLASEIA’s statement at 11:13 a.m. ET
Since the desperate attempt of Duke Energy and FP&L back in 2016, pushed a voter initiative backed by them to change the State Constitution of Florida to “protect the IOU electric utilities” and their “regulated monopolies”, personally the so-called Amendment 1 was voted down by a healthy majority of voters and both Duke and FP&L should have (respected) their customers wishes and stopped this usury. Then comes along HB741, to try and insert themselves into the residential ratepayers lives in a punitive way. I’m sure the “Oracle of Omaha”, Warren Buffett could buy Duke and FP&L out and name ‘his’ new electricity company Oracle Energy. IF the utility wants to have “some” control over residential solar PV installations, then the electric company should be the installation and maintenance arbiter of solar PV roofs in their sphere of influence. The rote IOU electric utilities need to DO something other than expect solar PV adopters to pay a “connection fee” when the utility is getting a distributed energy generation resource that requires that connection of copper wires between the house and utility step down transformer. It’s past time for a business model change in the electric utility industry.
I sure wish Michigan had a great Governor like him.
Careful what you wish for!
Unfortunate that the title of the email “Gov. DeSantis vetoes Florida net-metering bill” sounds like the governor opposed solar.