As published at News-Press.com: With Lee County unemployment now at nearly 14 percent one has to wonder why the most obvious source of job growth is being stifled. Whether the goal is economic recovery or environmental protection, investing in energy efficiency is one of the most important actions a business can take.
That is why Audubon, a leading Florida voice for energy and water conservation, has long advocated that electric power utilities invest in conservation and renewable energy.
Putting money into conserving electricity and producing solar power and other renewable energy is also an investment in creating the kinds of jobs we need here in Florida. Both direct investment by utilities and public investment in distributed and alternative energy supplies is good for business and for Florida's natural heritage.
A major obstacle to investment in the infrastructure of conservation and clean energy is Florida's politicized approach to setting electricity rates. Legislators attempt to score points with constituents by putting pressure on the Public Service Commission to vote for lower rates. One result is to undermine financing of clean energy, clean water and efficient energy delivery.
Certainly, people need to be protected from excessive rates. But that belief should not prevent Florida from investing in 21st century energy infrastructure. Florida's future depends on clean water and clean energy. That also translates into jobs and prosperity. Growth requires investment, and the best way to finance our essential infrastructure is to ask the people who will benefit to pay part of the costs - either upfront or over a period of time.
We build roads, water supply and power plants by having the people who will use the infrastructure and services help pay for the benefits through rates, tolls, fees and taxes. Most consumers are willing to pay more to get more; and they are smart enough to realize that if they pay nothing, they get little in return.
State policies and regulatory actions that result in lower overall costs to consumers are part of the challenge. The harder part is to stimulate investment in technologies that will save us money in the future. Now, for reasons that seem more political than practical, decision-makers in Tallahassee seem to be telling the utilities that they cannot rely on base rates to finance improvements in efficiency and conservation, and of cleaner fuels, and renewable energy.
Consumers know that it is not the rate per kilowatt that matters. It's the cost of the kilowatts used. If electricity can be generated with renewable sources and used more efficiently, bills will come down now and in the future. Rather than obsess over cheap kilowatts, legislators should encourage adequate capitalization of safe, clean energy.
The state's power companies and renewable energy providers are coming around to investing billions of dollars and creating thousands of new jobs along the way. However, to invest in jobs and clean energy projects, energy suppliers have to borrow money and attract investors. Banks will not lend to businesses that cannot afford to pay the bills, and investors will not invest in companies that don't make money.
Our laws give the Public Service Commission control of the business practices of the state's power companies. Those companies cannot become providers of clean and reliable electricity on the cheap. We need to make sure that our state officials are not shortsighted in their decisions.
Overly aggressive oversight in the name of consumer protection undermines the ability to attract investors and borrow money necessary to build the clean electric power infrastructure Florida needs. Regulation of utility rates needs to truly balance consumer protection, investment in clean and reliable supply, and environmental protection. It's time to set aside politics and bring that balance back and while doing so create the kind of jobs Southwest Florida needs.
