Renewable power advocates lose their last-ditch appeal to get a utility-backed energy initiative off the Nov. 8 ballot.
By Emily J. Gertz | takepart.com
A Florida ballot initiative backed by energy utilities and an array of right-leaning organizations could damage efforts to expand solar power in the state. Now an eleventh-hour attempt by opponents to get it removed from the ballot has failed.
On Friday, the Florida Supreme Court rejected an appeal by the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association and Floridians for Solar Choice to have the “Rights of Electricity Consumers Regarding Solar Energy Choice” initiative, better known as Amendment 1, withdrawn for deceptive language. The groups have argued for months that despite its sunny-sounding title, the measure would elevate to the state’s constitution an effective near ban on net metering, a practice that helps ratepayers recoup the costs of the expensive equipment more quickly, or to contract with third-party providers to install and maintain solar arrays in return for the income from the extra current.
