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RESOLUTION ENDORSING THE GOVERNOR�S GOAL OF HAVING FLORIDA DERIVE 20 PERCENT OF ITS ENERGY FROM�RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES BY THE YEAR 2020 WITH AN EMPHASIS ON SOLAR AND WIND ENERGY; URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO ENACT LEGISLATION CREATING AN AGGRESSIVE RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARD THAT WILL REQUIRE 20% OF FLORIDA ENERGY TO BE GENERATED BY RENEWABLE RESOURCES BY 2020

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WHEREAS, Governor Charlie Crist has quickly brought Florida to the forefront of the national effort to find solutions to human-induced climate change, and has proposed a strong renewable energy goal of having Florida derive 20 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by the year 2020; and
WHEREAS, as defined by the United States Department of Energy, renewable energy includes solar, wind, biomass, hydrogen, geothermal, ocean, and hydropower, and is considered inexhaustible and constantly replenishing sources of energy; and
WHEREAS, a recent study commissioned by the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) reinforces the Governor�s position by showing that the goal of 20 percent�renewable energy by 2020 goal is achievable, primarily through the use of solar, wind and biomass energy; and
WHEREAS, the PSC recently recommended that the State of Florida adopt the 20 percent by 2020 Renewable Portfolio Standard; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade is the largest county in the State of Florida with more than 2.4�million residents and has the largest population at risk from sea level rise caused by climate change; and
WHEREAS, both our urban infrastructure and the protection of our water supply is at risk from projected sea level rise, and the most effective way to stop or slow the anticipated impacts of climate change is to significantly reduce carbon emissions from our energy supply as quickly as possible; and
WHEREAS, the federal government�is currently deliberating�ways to stimulate the nation�s economy through �green-collar jobs� and Miami-Dade continues to put programs and policies in place to spur job creation through renewable energy and energy conservation in our community; and
WHEREAS, the adoption of a strong renewable energy goal will help Florida stand out as a leader in the development and deployment of solar energy and as a smart place to grow renewable energy businesses,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Strongly endorses the Governor�s goal of getting 20 percent of our energy from renewable energy sources by the year 2020, with an emphasis on solar and wind energy.
Section 2. Urges the Florida Legislature to enact legislation creating an aggressive Renewable Portfolio Standard that will require Florida to generate 20 percent of our energy from renewable resources by the year 2020.
Section 3. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the members of the Florida Governor, Senate President, House Speaker, and the Chair and Members of the Miami-Dade State Legislative Delegation.
Section 4. Directs the County�s federal and state lobbyists to advocate for the passage of the legislation set forth in section 2 above, and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to include this item in the 2009 State Legislative Package.