Governor Favors Additional Nuclear Plants
By Ted Jackovics, Tampa Tribune, Fla.
Jun. 20–TAMPA — Florida Gov. Jeb Bush signed a sweeping energy bill Monday with incentives for alternative fuels development and a sales tax holiday in October for energy efficient dishwashers, air conditioners and other products.
Calling Venezuela’s head of state “crazy” while making a point about unreliable U.S. sources of fuel, including Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bush outlined his vision for Florida’s pursuit of alternative energy sources during and after a ceremony at the Port of Tampa.
“This is a comprehensive bill that puts Florida in the forefront on being less reliant on fossil fuels,” Bush said.
The governor selected Tampa to sign Senate Bill 888 in a ceremony in which a private Tampa company broke ground at the Port Sutton facility for Florida’s first large-scale ethanol fuel plant.
Ethanol is one of Florida’s alternative energy prospects to replace foreign-produced fuels. The production of ethanol from corn to make a fuel that is blended with gasoline to reduce petroleum consumption is scheduled to begin at Port Sutton in October 2007, with 35 to 40 employees.
“Two years ago, we were met with skepticism, and today we have solidified ethanol’s spot” in Florida’s energy outlook, said Bradley Krohn, United States EnviroFuels president and chief technical officer.
Bush told reporters he favored additional nuclear plants, but did not provide recommendations for specific sites in Florida. He added the federal government must devise a solution for storing nuclear waste.
The new energy legislation, formally titled the 2006 Florida Renewable Energy Technologies and Energy Efficiency Act, establishes tax incentives, rebates and grants to encourage alternative fuel technologies.
The legislation includes: A Florida sales tax holiday from Oct. 5 to 11 for the purchase of energy-efficient devices, including dishwashers, refrigerators, air conditioners, ceiling fans, programmable thermostats and incandescent light bulbs.
A solar energy rebate for the costs of pollution-free photovoltaic and solar thermal technology for residential and commercial buildings.
Matching grants for research on projects in Florida that include solar, ethanol, biodiesel and hydrogen technologies.
Revisions to the state’s power plant and transmission line siting acts intended to simplify the planning process.
Bush made his comment to reporters about Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez without naming the controversial leader whose oil rich country recently has clashed with the United States on a variety of issues.
The governor said the United States cannot rely on countries that are enemies or that could be under the influence or threat of al-Qaida.
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