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The Committee on Environmental Preservation and Conservation

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(Saunders) recommended the following amendment to amendment

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(223658):

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     Senate Amendment (with title amendments)

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     Between line(s) 2157 and 2158

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insert:

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     Section 41.  Section 1004.648, Florida Statutes, is created

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to read:

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     1004.648 Florida Energy Systems Consortium.--

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     (1) There is created the Florida Energy Systems Consortium

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(FESC or Consortium) to promote collaboration between experts in

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the State University system for the purpose of developing and

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implementing a comprehensive, long-term, environmentally

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compatible, sustainable, and efficient energy strategic plan for

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the State. The Consortium will focus on an overall broad systems

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approach from energy resource to consumer and for producing

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innovative energy systems that will lead to alternative energy

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strategies, improved energy efficiencies and expanded economic

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development for the State. The Consortium shall consist of the

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University of Florida, Florida State University, the University

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of South Florida, the University of Central Florida, and Florida

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Atlantic University. The Consortium shall be administered at the

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University of Florida by a Director whom shall report to an

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Oversight Board which shall consist of the Vice President for

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Research at each of the five universities. The Oversight Board

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shall have ultimate responsibility for both the technical

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performance and financial management of the FESC. In performing

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its activities, the FESC will collaborate with the Florida Energy

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Commission (FEC), as established in s. 377.901, Florida Statutes,

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as well as with industry and other affected parties.

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(2) Through collaborative research and development across

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the State University System and industry, the goal of the FESC is

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to become a world leader in energy research, education,

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technology, and energy systems analysis. In so doing, the

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Consortium shall:

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a. Coordinate and initiate increased collaborative

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interdisciplinary energy research amongst universities and the

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energy industry.

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b. Create a Florida energy technology industry.

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c. Provide a State resource for objective energy systems

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analysis.

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d. Develop education and outreach programs to prepare a

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qualified energy workforce and informed public.

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(3) To promote collaboration between researchers within the

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State University System, with industry, and other external

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partners, the Consortium will receive input from an external,

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industry-dominated Advisory Board. The University Council, which

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shall consist of one member from each university designated by

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the corresponding Vice President for Research, will provide

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guidance on vision and direction to the Director. The Board, the

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chair of the Florida Energy Commission, and the Council shall

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constitute the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee is

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responsible for establishing and assuring the success of the

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FESC's strategic plan.

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(4) A major focus of the FESC will be to expedite

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commercialization of innovative energy technologies by taking

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advantage of State University System energy expertise, high

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technology incubators, industrial parks, and industry-driven

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research centers to attract companies to establish manufacturing

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in the State and transition technologies into the State economy.

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(5) The Consortium shall solicit and leverage state,

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federal, and private funds for the purpose of conducting

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education, research and development in the area of sustainable

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energy. The Oversight Board shall ensure that the FESC maintains

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accurate records of any funds received by the Consortium.

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(6) Through research and instructional programs, the

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faculty associated with the Consortium shall coordinate a state-

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wide workforce development initiative focusing on college-level

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degrees, technician training, and public and commercial sectors

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awareness. The Consortium will develop specific programs

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targeted at preparing graduates with a background in energy,

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continuing education courses for technical and non-technical

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professionals, and modules, laboratories, and courses to be

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shared among the universities. FESC will work with the Florida

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Community College system using the Florida Advanced Technological

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Education Center (FLATE) for the coordination and design of

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industry-specific training programs for technicians.

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(7) By November 1 of each year, FESC shall submit an annual

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report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker

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of the House of Representatives and the Florida Energy Commission

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regarding its activities including, but not limited to,

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education, research, development, and deployment of alternative

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energy technologies.

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(renumber subsequent sections)

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================ T I T L E  A M E N D M E N T ================

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And the title is amended as follows:

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     Delete line(s) 2396

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and insert:

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a specified date; creating s. 1004.648, F.S.; establishing

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the Florida Energy Systems Consortium; providing

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membership and duties of the consortium; providing

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reporting requirements for the consortium by a date

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certain; providing an effective date.

3/19/2008  10:22:00 AM     EP.EP.05352