Florida Energy and Climate Commission

Posted by
Alex ScoreProject Summary
Florida’s Governor appoints seven members and the remaining two are appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture Service and the Chief Financial Officer. The Commission is responsible for overseeing the implementation of Florida's Energy and Climate Action Plan, which was submitted to Florida Governor Charlie Crist on October 15, 2008. The Commission was abolished in 2011, but the Commission’s functions were transferred to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS). The DACS created the Florida Advisory Council on Climate and Energy, which looks at how the state can modernize energy policy, diversify energy sources, increase energy efficiency, and create opportunities for its most vulnerable citizens.
Background
Florida’s energy and climate change policy and implement the recommendations of the Governor’s Action Team on Energy and Climate Change. The Commission also worked on administering financial incentive programs and collaborating with other programs such as the Florida Public Service Commission, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Department of Community Affairs, and Florida Energy Consortium. The Commission was abolished in 2011 and its functions transferred to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS).
The DACS created the Florida Advisory Council on Climate and Energy (FACCE) to modernize energy policy, create opportunities for vulnerable citizens, and provide information and assistance on state policies and programs involving conservation, renewable energy, climate change, and sea level rise. FACCE is comprised of representatives from universities, county governments, city governments, non-governmental organizations, and private companies.
Implementation
In 2010, the Commission worked on energy priorities in the state, including setting priorities for the implementation of Florida’s 2008 Energy and Climate Change Action Plan. In 2019, DACS released a new Florida Energy and Climate Plan (the Plan). Incorporating FACCE recommendations, the Plan focuses on nine areas deemed critical to Florida’s progress:
- Investments in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
- Resiliency of Florida’s Infrastructure
- Clean, Safe, and Sustainable Transportation
- Advance the Energy-Water Nexus
- Expand Energy Education, Vocational Training, and Workforce Development
- Research, Development, Demonstration, and Deployment
- Electric Industry Infrastructure
- Agriculture
- Decreasing the Energy Burden for Low Income Communities
Outcomes and Conclusions
From 2008 through 2010 the Commission focused most of its work on energy grants and policy and the prioritization of Florida’s 2008 Energy and Climate Action Plan. The adaptation section of the 2008 plan was never fully implemented. The new DACS Florida Energy and Climate Plan does include a series of action steps for each of the nine focal areas however, there is no detailed implementation plan included in the document. The DACS plan is intended to act as a guiding document for Florida agencies concerning energy and climate initiatives.
Resources:
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service's Florida Energy and Climate Plan
Florida Advisory Council on Climate and Energy
Citation
Score, A. (2021). Florida Energy and Climate Commission [Case study on a project of the Florida Energy and Climate Commission]. Version 2.0. Product of EcoAdapt's State of Adaptation Program. (Last updated May 2021)