Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterOctober 3, 2016

The group backing the solar power amendment spent more than $760,000 in one week. State records show Consumers for Smart Solar spent $761,758 between Sept. 17 and Sept. 23, the most recent campaign finance reporting period. Records show the organization spent $507,400 on advertising and $202,349 on direct mail during the one-week reporting period. Consumers […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterSeptember 26, 2016

A solar power amendment is poised for passage, according to a new poll by the Florida Chamber Political Institute. The survey found 66 percent of Florida voters would support solar power initiative, while 16 percent of respondents said they would vote against it. “The Florida Chamber supports the solar energy policies in Amendment 1 and […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterSeptember 19, 2016

The push to vote “Yes on 1” is underway. Mailers from Consumers for Smart Solar are hitting Floridians’ mailboxes, encouraging them to support the solar initiative. The mailers call the proposal a “straightforward plan that encourages solar.” The amendment is backed by the state’s major electric companies, and outlines the rules for solar power in […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterSeptember 19, 2016

The cost of installing rooftop solar systems is at a record low due in part to government and utility incentives, according to a new report. The report, commissioned by the Consumer Energy Alliance, found incentives have significantly reduced the residential customers’ costs of installing rooftop solar systems. Michael Whatley, executive vice president of the Consumer […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 7, 2016

A coalition of Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, and Green Party members came out on Wednesday to announce their opposition to the next solar power amendment Floridians will vote on this fall. If passed, Amendment 1 would put existing law regarding the rights of homeowners and businesses to own or lease solar equipment into the state Constitution. Advocates […]

Peter SchorschAugust 16, 2016

Florida candidates and committees collected more than $10.5 million in contributions for the July 30 through Aug. 5 reporting period, though a lot of that money can be tagged to a handful of players. More than a quarter of that total came from utility companies pumping money into “Consumers for Smart Solar,” the committee backing […]

Peter SchorschAugust 15, 2016

The committee backing the solar power amendment on the November 2016 ballot raised nearly $2.8 million over two days to start the month after posting no contributions since June. Consumers for Smart Solar has raised more than $18.8 million since it began operations in July 2015, mainly through massive support from the utility industry. As […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 26, 2016

Contributions to Consumers for Smart Solar fizzled out in July. State records show the fundraising committee — which is backing the solar-energy ballot initiative — received no contributions between July 2 and July 15. The two-week period marks the two most recent fundraising periods. The group has raised more than $16 million since July 2015. […]

Mitch PerryJuly 14, 2016

The League of Women Voters in Florida is going big on solar power this year. They’re putting their political muscle behind supporting one solar constitutional amendment on the ballot next month, while opposing another such measure in November. And somewhat outside their normal lane, they’re also going to organize solar co-ops to negotiate steep discounts on rooftop solar for homeowners across the state. […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 5, 2016

Consumers for Smart Solar spent more than $80,000 in June, despite another slow fundraising month. State records show backers of the solar-energy ballot initiative raised $5,000 from June 1 through June 24. The single donation came from the Hispanic Council for Reform and Educational Options. The three-week fundraising period marked the second slow fundraising period […]

Tag: Consumers for Smart Solar
Image via Palatka Main Street.

Consumers for Smart Solar spends more than $500K on advertising in one week

Solar amendment supported by 66% of Floridians, new poll finds

Direct mail round up: Consumers for Smart Solar making pitch to vote ‘Yes on 1’

Solar incentives the focus of new Consumer Energy Alliance report

Coalition of activists team up to oppose utility supported solar power amendment on Florida ballot this fall

Utilities, trial lawyers give big in recent reporting period

Solar amendment supporters shine, raise $2.8M in 2 days

Fundraising for solar-energy amendment slows in July

League of Women Voters going all in on solar power in Florida this year

Consumers for Smart Solar spends more than $83K in June