General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFlorida inches closer to kneecapping rooftop solar.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/florida-inches-closer-to-kneecapping-rooftop-solar/ar-AATHWTa?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531Florida is inching closer to changing the states solar industryand individual ownership of solar panelsfor the worse.
A pair of bills, both heavily backed by utility interests, made big steps forward in the state legislature this week. Whats more, the utility has taken up blogging, of all things, to defend its honor. Stay kooky, Florida!
Despite the widespread public opposition and national attention on the bills shady ties to Florida Power and Light (FPL), one of the states most powerful utilities, both the Senate and House anti-solar bills are cruising through the legislature. Last week, a subcommittee granted the bill, HB 741, its first approval in the House. On Tuesday, as hundreds of pro-rooftop-solar protesters rallied against the bill in Tallahassee, the Senate version of the bill, SB 1024, passed its final subcommittee in a 6-3 party-line vote, clearing the way for a full vote.
Me: You see, they've tried this before, but it was always turned down (barely) because it was considered.........stupid IN THE SUNSHINE STATE! More......
Now, FPL is trying againand they seem to be resorting to directly paying politicians this time around. In December, leaked emails jointly reported by the Miami Herald and Floodlight showed how FPL lobbyists met with a first-term state senator, Jennifer Bradley, directly drafted the text of an anti-net metering bill, and delivered it to Bradleys office. Two days later, NextEra Energy, FPLs parent company and the largest utility in the country, gave $10,000 to Bradleys political committee. The matching House version of the bill, meanwhile, was introduced by Rep. Lawrence McClure, who has taken money from various sources with ties to FPL and NextEra Energy; he subsequently got a $10,000 donation from an organization with ties to that network, according to the Herald/Floodlight report.
Sorry, Florida DUers, but until you can convince others to vote those crooked, asshole republicans out of office, you're going to continue to pay some of the highest electric prices in the country, and remain the slaves to republican greed merchants.
OAITW r.2.0
(24,281 posts)Why anyone votes these sellouts into office is beyond my ken.
applegrove
(118,462 posts)rockfordfile
(8,695 posts)Irish_Dem
(46,426 posts)There are a number of low cost, green energy strategies that won't make the oligarchs rich.
CANADIANBEAVER69
(331 posts)As long as the rich stay in control, they won't allow it. They see no profit in it.
Irish_Dem
(46,426 posts)Glad to see you.
Sorry to see our American crap has floated up your way.
CANADIANBEAVER69
(331 posts)Used to post a lot, but something happened with my account and now it says I joined in 2011. I am grateful for DU and the community here. I visit pretty much daily.
As far as what's happening in Ottawa and border towns with the convoy, I have mixed feelings. I always support a little true "legitimate political discourse"to borrow a current Republican phrase, but don't agree with outside monetary influences and the divisive nature of the reporting on either side. After watching the truth take a back seat in reporting the news over the years, especially since 2015 when TFG started making waves and strutting in like a Putin appointed puppet, it really is a struggle keeping relationships with friends and family. I don't know if we can return to a life where compromise is not considered a bad thing. Where education is broad and includes the "hard to face" subjects that so many on the right have recently been trying to remove.Where people can love who they want without judgment. Where the people we elect, actually work together for the betterment of everyone and not just the people in your political party. The hate out there is unbelievable and can be soul crushing.
For myself, I just have to keep hope alive and try to be better than I was yesterday.
Irish_Dem
(46,426 posts)I think we are all afraid of losing the life we value.
And the fascists taking over.
All we can do is speak out, and yes make the planet a better place.
I always told my daughter we are not here on earth to just take up space. We are here to make the planet a better place and leave it in better shape than when we arrived. And to try to be a better person each day.
Bristlecone
(10,114 posts)Legalized bribery. Nothing less.
SergeStorms
(19,148 posts)And, like you said, people not in politics call it bribery! Pure and simple bribery.
Texas and Florida seem locked locked in competition for the most autocratic, crooked, and greedy state in the Union. This definitely puts Florida in the lead.
roamer65
(36,744 posts)SergeStorms
(19,148 posts)using hydro-power. But republicans would probably demand a nuclear-powered plant.
There is a sort-of "spine" that runs down the center of the state that will be able to sustain the very wealthy Floridian's McMansions. It runs from 100-250 ft. above sea level, and will be immune from the initial coastal flooding. Everything from today's beaches to about 25 miles Island will be under water.
Republicans will ruin that too, just like everything else.
Emile
(22,460 posts)SergeStorms
(19,148 posts)they can poison the creeks and rivers too.
It's a win - win situation as far as they're concerned.
Celerity
(43,065 posts)marmar
(77,049 posts)treestar
(82,383 posts)was to decide these types of things. Gubmint should stay out of business!
SergeStorms
(19,148 posts)That's it in a nutshell.
jalan48
(13,838 posts)It's democracy corporate style.
JHB
(37,152 posts)SergeStorms
(19,148 posts)I've never seen that Bugs Bunny episode before, or saw it so long ago that I'd forgotten it.
Only you could come up with something so obscure in the Comic department, JHB.