Jim Rosica
Supporters of a proposed constitutional amendment on solar power now say they have 1 million signatures, further ensuring the question will be on the 2016 ballot.
“More than 1 million Florida voters have gone on record in support of our Smart Solar amendment,” Consumers for Smart Solar co-chair Dick Batchelor said in a prepared statement released Wednesday. “We are one step closer to ensuring Floridians have the opportunity to advance solar energy in a way that protects consumers.”
The utility-backed group is sponsoring the amendment titled “Rights of Electricity Consumers Regarding Solar Energy Choice.”
As of Wednesday morning, the state Division of Elections was reporting 529,034 valid signatures. An initiative needs 683,149 to merit ballot placement.
The amendment is also under state Supreme Court review, with legal briefs ordered for next month. The court has to OK a proposal’s language and ballot summary before it can go before voters.
If it does make it on the ballot, the proposal must receive approval from 60 percent of voters to be added to the state constitution.
“Our amendment is clear, unambiguous and deals with only one subject, so we are confident that it will appear on the ballot for the people of Florida to decide,” spokeswoman Sarah Bascom said.
The initiative “establishes a right … for consumers to own or lease solar equipment installed on their property to generate electricity for their own use,” the current ballot summary says.
The proposed change also allows state and local governments to “retain their abilities” to regulate solar energy and would ensure traditional power users “are not required to subsidize the costs of backup power and electric grid access” for solar energy users.
