The Florida Supreme Court has spoken, albeit in divided, notably frank, 4-3 fashion. That disingenuous “Consumers for Smart Solar,” utility-backed Amendment can be placed on the November ballot.
There’s a reason it’s supported by utilities–and not by renewable energy proponents. It does nothing for consumer choice or competitive pricing.
Too bad there’s no room for the Court’s official dissent–more like a warning–which was written by Justice Barbara Pariente. In brief, “Let the pro-solar energy consumers beware. Masquerading as a pro-solar energy initiative, this proposed constitutional amendment, supported by some of Florida’s major investor-owned, electric utility companies, actually seeks to constitutionalize the status quo. The ballot title is … misleading by its focus on “Solar Energy Choice,’ when no real choice exists for those who favor expansion of solar energy.”