TITLE
RESOLUTION URGING THE FLORIDA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO ADOPT FINAL RULES THAT WILL ENCOURAGE THE USE OF CONSUMER-OWNED SOLAR AND OTHER RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS THROUGH NET METERING AND BY FACILITATING THE INTERCONNECTION BETWEEN SUCH SYSTEMS AND ELECTRIC UTILITIES

BODY
WHEREAS, net metering allows consumers to offset some of the cost of electricity they buy from a utility by selling back to the utility at a retail rate electric power that solar and other renewable energy systems have generated; and
WHEREAS, because consumers buy and sell power at the same rate through net metering, the utility bill is calculated only on the net electricity that the consumer purchases from the utility; and
WHEREAS, statewide net metering laws are currently in place in 38 States; and
WHEREAS, net metering programs offer the potential for individuals and businesses to realize financial benefits from installing renewable energy systems; and
WHEREAS, five utilities in Florida currently offer net metering to their customers: Florida Keys Electric Cooperative, JEA (Jacksonville), Lakeland Electric, New Smyrna Beach Utilities, and the City of Tallahassee Electric Utility; and
WHEREAS, as part of the�Federal Energy Policy Act of 2005, all utility regulatory authorities and non-regulated utility must consider offering interconnection to the power grid and net metering upon request; and
WHEREAS, the energy needs of Florida continue to grow at a rapid rate, and solar energy provides a clean and safe renewable energy option to our residents and businesses; and
WHEREAS, on December 18, 2007, Florida�s Public Service Commission voted to propose amendments to the administrative rules governing utilities that would require all utilities in Florida to offer net metering; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendments also would (i) expand the types of eligible systems from only solar to all renewable technology systems, (ii) substantially increase the size of renewable energy systems eligible to sell electricity to utilities from 10 kilowatts to 2 megawatts, and (iii) facilitate and expedite the interconnection between consumer-owned renewable energy systems and electric utilities; and
WHEREAS, if adopted in final form, these amendments would promote the development of consumer-owned solar and other renewable energy systems, which in turn will improve conservation, diversify the types of fuel used to generate electricity in Florida, protect the environment, and stimulate the state�s economy,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Urges the Florida Public Service Commission to adopt final rules that will encourage the use of consumer-owned solar and other renewable energy systems through net metering and by facilitating the interconnection between such systems and electric utilities.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Chair and Members of the Public Service Commission, with copies to the Governor, Senate President, House Speaker, the Chair and Members of the Miami-Dade County State Legislative Delegation.
Section 3. Directs the County's state lobbyists to advocate for the adoption of the final rules set forth in Section 1 above, and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to include this item in the 2008 State Legislative Package.
The foregoing resolution was sponsored by Commissioner Katy Sorenson and offered by Commissioner , who moved its adoption. The motion was seconded by Commissioner and upon being put to a vote, the vote was as follows:
Bruno A. Barreiro, Chairman
Barbara J. Jordan, Vice-Chairwoman
Jose "Pepe" Diaz
Audrey M. Edmonson
Carlos A. Gimenez
Sally A. Heyman
Joe A. Martinez
Dennis C. Moss
Dorrin D. Rolle
Natacha Seijas
Katy Sorenson
Rebeca Sosa
Sen. Javier D. Souto


The Chairman thereupon declared the resolution duly passed and adopted this 5th day of February, 2008. This resolution shall become effective ten (10) days after the date of its adoption unless vetoed by the Mayor, and if vetoed, shall become effective only upon an override by this Board.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA
BY ITS BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

HARVEY RUVIN, CLERK


By:________________________
Deputy Clerk


Approved by County Attorney as
to form and legal sufficiency. _______

Jess M. McCarty
Agenda Item No.
Page No. 3


Approved Mayor Agenda Item No.
Veto __________ 02-05-08
Override __________