Commissioner Sorenson and the Board of County Commissioners are encouraging the Public Service Commission (PSC) to adopt the draft rules for “net metering” proposed by the PSC.  If adopted, the rules would allow small solar, wind, and biofuel producers to send their surplus energy to the utility grid.  Net Metering would allow the electric utility meter to run backward, crediting the homeowner or business for the full value of the clean energy they produce.  “Net metering is available in more than 30 states and has been a major incentive contributing to the rapid deployment of small renewable energy systems in those States,” said Commissioner Sorenson.  “The rules proposed by the PSC would be a major step in the right direction, bringing solar power and other renewable energy choices within reach of homeowners and businesses.”

Additionally, the County will ask the Legislature to reintroduce a bill creating the alternative energy property tax exemption called for in the Florida Constitution.  The property tax exemption would allow the Property Appraiser to discount alternative energy equipment on commercial or residential property to prevent an unintended tax penalty for providing a clean energy benefit to our State.  "We need solar and other green energy sources to be a major contributor to our energy mix here in Miami-Dade," said Commissioner Sorenson.  "This property tax exemption, along with net metering and the existing State rebate for solar energy installations, will go a long way to fulfill Florida’s potential as the Sunshine State."  The County will also look to the State to help extend the reach of Miami-Dade’s low-income solar water heating program, which currently helps approximately 30 families a year cut their electric bill by installing solar water heaters in qualifying homes.

Finally, the Commissioner is asking the State to expand the newly created “"Florida Opportunity Fund," a matching fund to encourage venture capital investment in Florida, to include renewable energy and biofuels.