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A bill to be entitled

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An act relating to energy efficiency; amending s. 366.81,

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F.S.; revising legislative intent concerning the Florida

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Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act; providing that a

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stated goal of the act is to encourage the use of advanced

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metering systems; providing an effective date.

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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

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     Section 1.  Section 366.81, Florida Statutes, is amended to

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read:

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     366.81  Legislative findings and intent.--The Legislature

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finds and declares that it is critical to utilize the most

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efficient and cost-effective energy conservation systems in order

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to protect the health, prosperity, and general welfare of the

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state and its citizens. Reduction in, and control of, the growth

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rates of electric consumption and of weather-sensitive peak

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demand are of particular importance. The Legislature further

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finds that the Florida Public Service Commission is the

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appropriate agency to adopt goals and approve plans related to

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the conservation of electric energy and natural gas usage. The

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Legislature directs the commission to develop and adopt overall

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goals and authorizes the commission to require each utility to

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develop plans and implement programs for increasing energy

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efficiency and conservation within its service area, subject to

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the approval of the commission. Since solutions to our energy

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problems are complex, the Legislature intends that the use of

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solar energy, renewable energy sources, highly efficient systems,

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cogeneration, advanced metering systems, and load-control systems

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be encouraged. Accordingly, in exercising its jurisdiction, the

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commission shall not approve any rate or rate structure that

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which discriminates against any class of customers on account of

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the use of such facilities, systems, or devices. This expression

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of legislative intent does shall not be construed to preclude

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experimental rates, rate structures, or programs. The Legislature

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further finds and declares that ss. 366.80-366.85 and 403.519 are

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to be liberally construed in order to meet the complex problems

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of reducing and controlling the growth rates of electric

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consumption and reducing the growth rates of weather-sensitive

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peak demand; increasing the overall efficiency and cost-

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effectiveness of electricity and natural gas production and use;

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encouraging further development of cogeneration facilities; and

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conserving expensive resources, particularly petroleum fuels.

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     Section 2.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2008.