http://www.theledger.com/article/20100512/EDIT01/5125000?Title=Florida-Legislature-Another-Delay-for-SolarWhen the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico exploded, 10 days remained before the scheduled end of the Florida Legislature on the last day of April. So one might think that a bill to give incentives to utility companies to move toward renewable energy sources - including solar - would gain supporters.
Moreover, it promised jobs, and lots of them: A study had found the bill could produce more than 40,000 jobs in Florida's renewable-energy sector. It would have spurred the addition of more than 50 megawatts of solar capacity in Florida.
The bill passed the House, but was bogged down in the Senate and died at session's end.
"One more time we are going to delay renewable energy in the state of Florida," said Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, who cited the ongoing gulf oil spill in his remarks.
<more>