 |
|
|
|
 |
In a recent press release Governor Jeb Bush said; "We are committed to restructuring energy as a business and not a utlility." We're not sure what that means? Do you know? Will the 2002 legislative effort encompass deregulation of the electrical industry or view the Governor's remarks as a signal to endorse the concepts for the future of the electrical industry in Florida as recently outlined by the Energy 2020 Study Commission? At the August 15, 2001 commission meeting an Outline For Comprehensive Energy Strategy - Discussion Draft, dated August 2, 2001 was laid on the table. Key elements you'll read about in the attachment provided are: * Create Florida Clean Energy, Inc., a
private, nonprofit corporation with an independent board of directors and
expert staff funded by non-bypassable "wires charge" on utility customers'
bills.
If you aren't interested in accessing the attachment a shortcut to meeting notices is provided. * SEE BELOW * Look for the August 15, 2001 meeting and click on the Discussion Draft - Outline for Comprehensive Energy Strategy for Florida. - Incidentally, while the commission and it's technical sub-committees have had approximately 30 meetings no time has been set aside at any meeting for public input and most meetings have been held in Tallahassee where all future meetings will be held. The best to you and yours,
The next meeting of the Energy 2020 Study Commission which has a mandate of considering deregulation of the electrical industry in Florida is scheduled in Orlando. * SEE BELOW * How many of you have attended a board of directors meeting of your homeowners association where no time was set aside on the agenda for residents input? Please note; once again, no time has been set aside on the agenda for public participation. This has been 'par for the course' for this commission while meeting in public and during tele-conferencing meetings between members. If you have an interest in how the future of the electrical industry will emerge after the 2002 Legislative session keep in mind; the commission expended time and effort to open the door during the last session but was rebuffed, temporarily. It's interesting to note: during the 64th Annual meeting of the Sumter Electrical Coop, Inc., (SECO) deregulation was a primary focus. CEO, Jim Duncan spoke in depth about the experiences in California since deregulation and how this commission could impact residents of Florida if they pursue, '..fixing a problem that isn't broken!' We have permission to share these *excerpts from the May 2001 SECO Newsletter for your edification and consideration; *One of the world's top economies (CA)
has been relegated to a third world electrical system due to politics,
greed and stupidity
NOTE: On the latter point, we do know Ed Pashal for AARP, is directly involved in commission deliberations and is representing consumer's interest. Thank you Ed! *The lack of electrical industry experience
on the commission was apparent when the commission made its first recommendation
to Governor Bush. If adopted by the Legislature in 2001, as proposed, electric
rates would have certainly increased.
Here's the rub and how residents of CA have been gouged by the wholesalers! *The new company could be owned by the
parent utility but wouldn't be subject to any appreciable regulation like
the parent.
*Simply put, the Study Commission's proposal (would have) left the door wide open for customer abuse and windfall profits for the utilities and (didn't) include safeguards to asssure that new generating sources are being built. While the first 'shot across the bow' of protecting the industry failed during the 2001 session, the commission will forward it's final proposal to Governor Jeb Bush in December of this year! The consequences could be disastrous for consumers and an unjust enrichment of the wholesalers, as has been the case in CA. The Chairman of the commission, Walter Revell, set the tone for the direction of the commission when he said, " I am weary of the California question, we'll make our own mistakes." Well, folks, we can't afford to make any mistakes on this one and hope it doesn't happen. Each of you need to remain vigilant of the Study Commission deliberations and, especially, it's final report to Governor Jeb Bush in December. Their recommendations will probably lead to a flurry of activity from the Legislature to file bills for deregulating the industry. We'll see? While continuing to monitor the commission's deliberations we can tell you honestly and forthrightly, comprehending electrical industry terminology is not easy task. For those of you in Orlando receiving this dispatch in time we hope you'll take the opportunity to attend the Study Commission meeting tomorrow, May 31, 2001. Thank you. In addition, please continue to read the material at the commission's Web site which you can access from our site or directly from the URL we've provided in a previous dispatch. When you visit our site, please take time to review; sign our Guest Book and consider clicking on that ever present JOIN button. Help us to represent your interest in matters you care about. Thank you for your consideration. The best to you and yours,
9:00 a.m COMMITTEE BUSINESS
11:15 a.m. DISCUSSION BY MEMBERS
As you know, the premature intent to establish a foundation to deregulate the electrical industry in Florida didn't pass muster during the recently concluded Legislative session. Whether you're a proponent or opponent of derulation we urge the Citizens of Florida to take an active interest to determine the stance of the Commission and Legislation that might emerge for consideration during the 2002 Legislative session. The final report from the Commission will be provided by December 2001, before the next session. Meetings of the Technical Advisory and the Energy 2020 Commission are continuing and posted at the following Web site. * SEE BELOW * After several meetings, evidence of a change of policy has emerged from the commission. We saw one meeting notice which includes the words; Public Comment! However, while telecom and regular meetings in various state locations have been scheduled (the first, tomorrow May 8, 2001) none of the scheduled meetings provide a formal agenda for public review. The best to you and yours,
Others, like the CEO of Sumter Electric Cooperative, Inc., (SECO) and it's members don't think so. We apologize to our friends and members living within SECO's territory and have had access to the monthly newsletter from your cooperative. However, we believe this information is important to share with others. * SEE BELOW * Before you read comments from SECO we'd like to mention these important facts; 1- None of the 'public meetings of the
Energy 2020 Task Force included alotted time for public input
Finally, Walter Revell, Chairman of the
task force has been quoted, thusly;
------------------------------------- *
SEE BELOW * -------------------------------
Ambassadors for SECO's customer advocate group journeyed to Tallahassee in early March to speak with elected officials about the need to be extremely careful when it comes to attempting to deregulate the electric utility industry in Florida. SECO representatives visited the offices of those legistors whose districts fall within Sumter Electric's service area. One simple message was conveyed. "When it comes to deregulation, the State Legislature needs to slow down, get the facts, and listen to the people of the state before taking any action on the Governor's Energy 2020 Commission proposal or any others that might come before it this year." The Energy 2020 Commission's proposal, as was noted in last month's SECO News, is poorly drafted. It has no provisions or safeguards built into it to prevent energy market abuse by the dominant players in the Florida power generation market and, consequently, sets up a scenario for the gouging of the average consumer of electricity. Legislators were told that SECO believes
the Commisions's plan will almost certainly reslut in a continuous upward
spiral in the cost of electricity for all
A visit to Governor Bush's offices was also on the Tallahassee itenerary. A petition, signed by well over 1,000 SECO customers was presented to the Governor's staff, urging the Governor to do no harm to Floridians where deregulation of the electric utility industry is concerned. The petition cited past and current failures in the deregulation of other industries in the United States and asked the Governor to do nothing until all consumer concerns are addressed. The fact of the matter is that Florida simply does not have a wholesale power crisis, our electric rates are well below the national average, and power generation capacity is certainly adequate. In light of the continuing disaster in California and the failed promises of electric deregulation in states like Maine, New York and others, why are we rushing to try and make changes to a system in this state that has served Floridians so well! The Consumers Federation of American and Consumers Union have proposed that the federal government and state governments halt deregulation plans in states where the process has not been completed or initiated yet. "We want what's fair and just for all electric customers," said SECO CEO Jim Duncan. "The Energy 2020 Commision proposal does not protect customers and should be tabled for this year, if not discarded altogether." We've included contact information for all those elected officials who represent any portion of SECO's service territory in this edition of SECO News. It's a handy guide to decision makers and we'd urge you to hold onto it in case you wish to contact some, or all, of them. Right now it's important that you let your elected officials know your feelings on the Energy 2020 Commision's proposal and about deregulation of the electric industry, in general. If we are silent - perilous things could happen to us. And, as you undoubtedly know, trying to reverse a damaging piece of legislation can take years and is extremely difficult, if not impossible. Feel free to quote from this newsletter, or put your message in your own words. It helps to keep the message as brief as possible. The important thing is that you communicate with your elected officials. |
For comments please
use our Bulletin Board (click on banner!)
Or click on Mail Box to send e-mail to : [email protected]  |
 |
 |