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Senator Saunders moved the following amendment:

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     Senate Amendment (with directory and title amendments)

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     Delete line(s) 4367-4442

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and insert:

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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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to promote collaboration between experts in the State University

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System for the purposes of sharing energy related expertise and

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assisting in the development and implementation of a

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comprehensive, long-term, environmentally compatible,

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sustainable, and efficient energy strategic plan for the state.

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     (2) The consortium shall focus on the research and

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development of innovative energy systems that will lead to

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alternative energy strategies, improved energy efficiencies, and

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expanded economic development for the state.

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     (3) The consortium shall consist of the University of

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Florida, Florida State University, the University of South

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Florida, the University of Central Florida, and Florida Atlantic

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University.

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     (4) The consortium shall be administered at the University

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of Florida by a director whom shall be appointed by the oversight

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board.

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     (5) The director shall report to the Florida Energy and

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Climate Commission created pursuant to s. 377.6015.

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     (6) The oversight board shall consist of the vice president

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for research at each of the universities that are members of the

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consortium.

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     (7) In addition to selecting the director the oversight

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board shall be responsible for the technical performance and

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financial management of the consortium.

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     (8) In performing its responsibilities, the consortium

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shall collaborate with the oversight board and may also

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collaborate with industry and other affected parties.

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     (9) Through collaborative research and development across

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the State University System and industry, the goal of the

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consortium is to become a world leader in energy research,

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

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the consortium shall:

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     (a) Coordinate and initiate increased collaborative

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interdisciplinary energy research among the universities and the

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energy industry.

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     (b) Assist in the creation and development of a Florida-

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based energy technology industry through efforts that would

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expedite commercialization of innovative energy technologies by

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taking advantage of the energy expertise within the State

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University System, high technology incubators, industrial parks,

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and industry-driven research centers.

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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. Specifically the

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faculty associated with the consortium shall coordinate a

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statewide workforce development initiative focusing on college-

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level degrees, technician training, and public and commercial

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sectors awareness. The consortium shall develop specific

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programs targeted at preparing graduates who have a background in

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energy, continuing education courses for technical and

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nontechnical professionals, and modules, laboratories, and

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courses to be shared among the universities. Additionally, the

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consortium shall work with the Florida Community College system

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using the Florida Advanced Technological Education Center for the

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coordination and design of industry-specific training programs

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for technicians.

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     (10) 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.

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     (11) The oversight board, in consultation with the Florida

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Energy and Climate Commission, shall ensure that the consortium:

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(a) Maintains accurate records of any funds received by the

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consortium.

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(b) Meets financial and technical performance expectations,

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which may include external technical reviews as required.

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     (12) The oversight board and the Florida Energy and Climate

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Commission shall constitute the Steering Committee which shall be

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responsible for establishing and assuring the success of the

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consortium's mission as provided for in subsection (9).

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     (13) By November 1 of each year, the consortium shall

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submit an annual report to the Governor, the President of the

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Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the

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Florida Energy and Climate Commission regarding its activities

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including, but not limited to, education, research, development,

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and deployment of alternative energy technologies.

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4/16/2008  9:17:00 PM     EP.37.07905