Florida energy bill approved: transmission streamlined; renewables, cap-trade boosted

摘要

A comprehensive energy bill unanimously approved by both houses of the Florida Legislature last week will make it easier for utilities to develop transmission lines and will move the state toward a renewable portfolio standard in 2009 and a cap-and-trade program for greenhouse gases in 2010. House Bill 7135 now goes to Governor Charlie Crist (Republican), who has praised the measure and plans to sign it. The new law, which incorporates elements of several bills introduced at the beginning of the legislature's 60-day session (EUW, 10 March, 21), will streamline the process of designing and building transmission lines by shifting final say over most projects from the cabinet of Florida's governor to the state's Department of Environmental Protection.