Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1496
By Senator Berman
26-00327A-25 20251496__
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to state renewable energy goals;
3 amending s. 366.91, F.S.; revising the definitions of
4 the terms “biomass” and “renewable energy”; amending
5 s. 377.24, F.S.; prohibiting the drilling or
6 exploration for, or production of, oil, gas, or other
7 petroleum products in certain locations; amending s.
8 377.242, F.S.; prohibiting the permitting and
9 construction of certain structures intended for the
10 drilling or exploration for, or production or
11 transport of, oil, gas, or other petroleum products in
12 certain locations; creating s. 377.821, F.S.;
13 providing legislative intent; providing for statewide
14 net zero carbon emissions by a specified date;
15 directing the Office of Energy within the Department
16 of Agriculture and Consumer Services, in consultation
17 with other state agencies, Florida College System
18 institutions and state universities, public utilities,
19 and other private and public entities, to develop a
20 unified statewide plan to generate the state’s
21 electricity from renewable energy and reduce the
22 state’s carbon emissions by specified dates; requiring
23 state and public entities to cooperate as requested;
24 specifying plan requirements; requiring the office to
25 submit the plan to the Governor and the Legislature by
26 a specified date and to provide annual updates;
27 creating s. 377.8225, F.S.; creating the Renewable
28 Energy Workforce Development Advisory Committee in the
29 Office of Energy; providing for committee membership,
30 duties, and meetings; defining the term “environmental
31 justice”; directing the Commissioner of Agriculture to
32 prepare and submit a specified annual report to the
33 Legislature by a specified date; providing for future
34 repeal; reenacting ss. 288.9606(7), 366.92(2)(b),
35 373.236(7), and 403.973(3)(e) and (18)(b), F.S.,
36 relating to the issue of revenue bonds, Florida
37 renewable energy policy, the duration of permits, and
38 expedited permitting and comprehensive plans,
39 respectively, to incorporate the amendments made to s.
40 366.91, F.S., in references thereto; providing an
41 effective date.
42
43 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
44
45 Section 1. Paragraphs (b) and (e) of subsection (2) of
46 section 366.91, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
47 366.91 Renewable energy.—
48 (2) As used in this section, the term:
49 (b) “Biomass” means a power source that consists is
50 comprised of, but is not limited to, combustible residues or
51 gases from forest products manufacturing;, waste or coproducts,
52 byproducts, or products from agricultural and orchard crops;,
53 waste or coproducts from livestock and poultry operations;,
54 waste or byproducts from food processing;, urban wood waste;
55 separated, municipal food, yard, or solid waste; or, municipal
56 liquid waste treatment operations, and landfill gas.
57 (e) “Renewable energy” means electrical energy produced
58 from a method that uses one or more of the following fuels or
59 energy sources: hydrogen produced or resulting from sources
60 other than fossil fuels, biomass, solar energy, geothermal
61 energy, wind energy, ocean energy, and hydroelectric power. The
62 term includes the alternative energy resource, waste heat, from
63 sulfuric acid manufacturing operations and electrical energy
64 produced using pipeline-quality synthetic gas produced from
65 waste petroleum coke with carbon capture and sequestration.
66 Section 2. Subsection (10) is added to section 377.24,
67 Florida Statutes, to read:
68 377.24 Notice of intention to drill well; permits;
69 abandoned wells and dry holes.—
70 (10) Notwithstanding this section, this chapter, or other
71 laws, without exception, the drilling or exploration for, or
72 production of, oil, gas, or other petroleum products is
73 prohibited on state lands and waters of the state.
74 Section 3. Section 377.242, Florida Statutes, is amended to
75 read:
76 377.242 Permits for drilling or exploring and extracting
77 through well holes or by other means.—The department is vested
78 with the power and authority:
79 (1)(a) To issue permits for the drilling for, exploring
80 for, or production of oil, gas, or other petroleum products
81 which are to be extracted from below the surface of the land,
82 including submerged land, only through the well hole drilled for
83 oil, gas, and other petroleum products.
84 1. A No structure intended for the drilling for, or
85 production of, oil, gas, or other petroleum products may not be
86 permitted or constructed on any submerged land within any bay or
87 estuary.
88 2. A No structure intended for the drilling for, or
89 production of, oil, gas, or other petroleum products may not be
90 permitted or constructed within 1 mile seaward of the coastline
91 of the state.
92 3. A No structure intended for the drilling for, or
93 production of, oil, gas, or other petroleum products may not be
94 permitted or constructed within 1 mile of the seaward boundary
95 of any state, local, or federal park or aquatic or wildlife
96 preserve or on the surface of a freshwater lake, river, or
97 stream.
98 4. A No structure intended for the drilling for, or
99 production of, oil, gas, or other petroleum products may not be
100 permitted or constructed within 1 mile inland from the shoreline
101 of the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, or any bay or estuary
102 or within 1 mile of any freshwater lake, river, or stream unless
103 the department is satisfied that the natural resources of such
104 bodies of water and shore areas of the state will be adequately
105 protected in the event of accident or blowout.
106 5. Without exception, after July 1, 1989, a no structure
107 intended for the drilling for, or production of, oil, gas, or
108 other petroleum products may not be permitted or constructed
109 south of 26°00′00″ north latitude off Florida’s west coast and
110 south of 27°00′00″ north latitude off Florida’s east coast,
111 within the boundaries of Florida’s territorial seas as defined
112 in 43 U.S.C. s. 1301. After July 31, 1990, a no structure
113 intended for the drilling for, or production of, oil, gas, or
114 other petroleum products may not be permitted or constructed
115 north of 26°00′00″ north latitude off Florida’s west coast to
116 the western boundary of the state bordering Alabama as set forth
117 in s. 1, Art. II of the State Constitution, or located north of
118 27°00′00″ north latitude off Florida’s east coast to the
119 northern boundary of the state bordering Georgia as set forth in
120 s. 1, Art. II of the State Constitution, within the boundaries
121 of Florida’s territorial seas as defined in 43 U.S.C. s. 1301.
122 (b) Subparagraphs (a)1. and 4. do not apply to permitting
123 or construction of structures intended for the drilling for, or
124 production of, oil, gas, or other petroleum products pursuant to
125 an oil, gas, or mineral lease of such lands by the state under
126 which lease any valid drilling permits are in effect on the
127 effective date of this act. If In the event that such permits
128 contain conditions or stipulations, such conditions and
129 stipulations shall govern and supersede subparagraphs (a)1. and
130 4.
131 (c) The prohibitions of subparagraphs (a)1.-4. in this
132 subsection do not include “infield gathering lines,” provided no
133 other placements are not placement is reasonably available and
134 all other required permits have been obtained.
135 (2) To issue permits to explore for and extract minerals
136 which are subject to extraction from the land by means other
137 than through a well hole.
138 (3) To issue permits to establish natural gas storage
139 facilities or construct wells for the injection and recovery of
140 any natural gas for storage in natural gas storage reservoirs.
141
142 Each permit shall contain an agreement by the permitholder that
143 the permitholder will not prevent inspection by division
144 personnel at any time. The provisions of this section
145 prohibiting permits for drilling or exploring for oil in coastal
146 waters do not apply to any leases entered into before June 7,
147 1991. Notwithstanding this section, this chapter, or other laws,
148 without exception, beginning July 1, 2025, a structure intended
149 for the drilling or exploration for, or production or transport
150 of, oil, gas, or other petroleum products may not be permitted
151 or constructed on state lands or waters of the state.
152 Section 4. Section 377.821, Florida Statutes, is created to
153 read:
154 377.821 State renewable energy goals.—
155 (1) By 2050, the Legislature intends for 100 percent of the
156 electricity used in this state to be generated from 100 percent
157 renewable energy as defined in s. 366.91. By 2051, the
158 Legislature intends for this state to have net zero carbon
159 emissions statewide.
160 (2) Achieving 100 percent renewable energy generation is
161 intended to provide unique benefits to the state, including all
162 of the following:
163 (a) Displacing fossil fuel consumption.
164 (b) Adding new electrical generating facilities.
165 (c) Reducing air pollution, particularly criteria pollutant
166 emissions and toxic air contaminants.
167 (d) Contributing to the safe and reliable operation of the
168 electrical grid, including providing predictable electrical
169 supply, voltage support, lower line losses, and congestion
170 relief.
171 (e) Enhancing economic development and job creation in the
172 clean energy industry.
173 (3) The Office of Energy within the Department of
174 Agriculture and Consumer Services, in consultation with other
175 state agencies, Florida College System institutions and state
176 universities, public utilities, and other private and public
177 entities, shall develop a unified statewide plan to generate 100
178 percent of this state’s electricity from renewable energy by
179 2050 and reduce the state’s carbon emissions to net zero by
180 2051. All public agencies, Florida College System institutions
181 and state universities, and public utilities shall cooperate
182 with the office as requested.
183 (4) The plan must do all of the following:
184 (a) Include interim goals to reach 50 percent renewable
185 energy statewide by 2040, 40 percent reduction in carbon
186 emissions statewide by 2030, and 80 percent reduction in carbon
187 emissions statewide by 2041.
188 (b) Require:
189 1. All private coal-fired and oil-fired electric generating
190 units to reach zero carbon emissions by 2030.
191 2. All private natural gas-fired units to reach zero carbon
192 emissions by 2045, prioritizing reductions by those with higher
193 rates of emissions and those in and near environmental justice
194 communities.
195 3. All municipal natural gas-fired units to reach zero
196 carbon emissions by 2045, unless the units are converted to
197 green hydrogen or similar technology that can achieve zero
198 carbon emissions.
199 4. All units that use combined heat and power or
200 cogeneration technology to reach zero carbon emissions by 2045,
201 unless the units are converted to green hydrogen or similar
202 technology that can achieve zero carbon emissions.
203 (c) Provide recommendations for creating:
204 1. A coal-to-solar program to support the transition of
205 coal-fired power plants to renewable energy facilities.
206 2. A commission on market-based carbon pricing solutions.
207 3. An electric generation task force to investigate carbon
208 capture and sequestration.
209 (d) Consider the potential impact of existing and
210 additional renewable energy incentives and programs with an
211 emphasis on solar and distributed resources, including energy
212 storage. The plan must also consider the impact of power
213 purchase agreements on attaining 100 percent renewable energy
214 generation.
215 (5) The office shall submit the statewide plan outlining
216 potential strategies to reach the goals of this section to the
217 Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the
218 House of Representatives by January 1, 2026, and shall provide
219 updates on the progress of achieving this state’s renewable
220 energy goals each January 1 thereafter.
221 Section 5. Section 377.8225, Florida Statutes, is created
222 to read:
223 377.8225 Renewable Energy Workforce Development Advisory
224 Committee.—
225 (1)(a) The Renewable Energy Workforce Development Advisory
226 Committee, a committee as defined in s. 20.03, is created in the
227 Office of Energy within the Department of Agriculture and
228 Consumer Services and shall be composed of 13 members, all of
229 whom are appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture. The
230 appointees shall include one representative of the Department of
231 Agriculture and Consumer Services and one representative of the
232 Department of Commerce, who shall serve as co-chairs of the
233 advisory committee; one representative of the Department of
234 Environmental Protection; one representative of the Department
235 of Education; two representatives of state universities or
236 colleges with programs or research focused on renewable energy;
237 and one representative from each of the following:
238 1. The Florida AFL-CIO.
239 2. The Florida Building and Construction Trades Council.
240 3. An organization serving environmental justice
241 communities. For purposes of this section, the term
242 “environmental justice” means the fair treatment and meaningful
243 involvement of all people, regardless of race, color, national
244 origin, or income, in matters concerning the development,
245 implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws,
246 regulations, and policies.
247 4. A renewable energy business.
248 5. An occupational training organization.
249 6. An economic development organization.
250 7. A community development organization.
251
252 In making these appointments, the commissioner shall consider
253 the places of residence of the members to ensure statewide
254 representation.
255 (b) The term of office of each member of the advisory
256 committee is 2 years and must be staggered.
257 (c) In case of a vacancy on the advisory committee, the
258 commissioner shall appoint a successor member for the unexpired
259 portion of the term.
260 (d) The members of the advisory committee shall serve
261 without compensation while in the performance of their official
262 duties.
263 (2) The advisory committee shall:
264 (a) Develop, in consultation with the Department of
265 Commerce, recommendations for a displaced energy workers bill of
266 rights to provide state support to transitioning energy sector
267 workers. Once the advisory committee is satisfied with the
268 recommendations for developing the program, it shall submit the
269 recommendations to the commissioner for inclusion in the annual
270 report under subsection (4).
271 (b) Develop, in consultation with the Department of
272 Corrections, recommendations for a returning residents clean
273 jobs training program to provide training for careers in the
274 clean energy sector to individuals who are currently
275 incarcerated. Once the advisory committee is satisfied with the
276 recommendations for developing the program, it shall submit the
277 recommendations to the commissioner for inclusion in the annual
278 report under subsection (4).
279 (c) Develop, in consultation with the Department of
280 Education, recommendations for an energy transition navigators
281 program to provide education, outreach, and recruitment to
282 equity-focused populations to promote awareness of workforce
283 development programs. Once the advisory committee is satisfied
284 with the recommendations for developing the program, it shall
285 submit the recommendations to the commissioner for inclusion in
286 the annual report under subsection (4).
287 (d)1. Identify those workers currently employed in the
288 energy sector and their current training requirements. The
289 advisory committee shall identify the employment potential of
290 the energy efficiency industry and the renewable energy industry
291 and the skills and training needed for workers in those
292 industries, and make recommendations to the commissioner for
293 policies to promote employment growth and access to jobs in
294 those fields. Recommendations of the advisory committee may not
295 reduce the training required for renewable energy jobs. The
296 advisory committee shall prioritize maximizing employment
297 opportunities for residents of environmental justice
298 communities, minorities, women, and workers displaced in the
299 transition to renewable energy.
300 2. By January 1, 2026, the advisory committee shall
301 establish a target for the number of residents working in the
302 renewable energy industry by 2029. The advisory committee shall
303 also establish a target for the number of renewable energy
304 industry jobs held by residents of environmental justice
305 communities, proportional to the percentage of residents who
306 live in environmental justice communities, and the number of
307 those jobs held by workers displaced in the transition to
308 renewable energy. The advisory committee shall create similar
309 targets for each subsequent 5-year period.
310 3. The advisory committee shall submit an annual report to
311 the commissioner recommending changes to existing state policies
312 and programs to meet the targets set forth in subparagraph 2.
313 (3) The advisory committee shall meet at least three times
314 annually to review progress in expanding renewable energy
315 employment. These meetings must be open to members of the public
316 and must provide opportunities for public comment. At least one
317 of these meetings must be held in an environmental justice
318 community each year.
319 (4) The commissioner shall prepare a report on the findings
320 and recommendations of the advisory committee and submit the
321 report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the
322 House of Representatives by January 1, 2026, and each January 1
323 thereafter.
324 (5) In accordance with s. 20.052(8), this section is
325 repealed October 2, 2028, unless reviewed and saved from repeal
326 through reenactment by the Legislature.
327 Section 6. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
328 made by this act to section 366.91, Florida Statutes, in a
329 reference thereto, subsection (7) of section 288.9606, Florida
330 Statutes, is reenacted to read:
331 288.9606 Issue of revenue bonds.—
332 (7) Notwithstanding any provision of this section, the
333 corporation in its corporate capacity may, without authorization
334 from a public agency under s. 163.01(7), issue revenue bonds or
335 other evidence of indebtedness under this section to:
336 (a) Finance the undertaking of any project within the state
337 that promotes renewable energy as defined in s. 366.91;
338 (b) Finance the undertaking of any project within the state
339 that is a project contemplated or allowed under s. 406 of the
340 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009;
341 (c) If permitted by federal law, finance qualifying
342 improvement projects within the state under s. 163.08; or
343 (d) Finance the costs of acquisition or construction of a
344 transportation facility by a private entity or consortium of
345 private entities under a comprehensive agreement authorized by
346 s. 334.30.
347 Section 7. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
348 made by this act to section 366.91, Florida Statutes, in a
349 reference thereto, paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section
350 366.92, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
351 366.92 Florida renewable energy policy.—
352 (2) As used in this section, the term:
353 (b) “Renewable energy” includes renewable energy and
354 renewable natural gas as those terms are defined in s.
355 366.91(2).
356 Section 8. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
357 made by this act to section 366.91, Florida Statutes, in a
358 reference thereto, subsection (7) of section 373.236, Florida
359 Statutes, is reenacted to read:
360 373.236 Duration of permits; compliance reports.—
361 (7) A permit approved for a renewable energy generating
362 facility or the cultivation of agricultural products on lands
363 consisting of 1,000 acres or more for use in the production of
364 renewable energy, as defined in s. 366.91(2)(e), shall be
365 granted for a term of at least 25 years at the applicant’s
366 request based on the anticipated life of the facility if there
367 is sufficient data to provide reasonable assurance that the
368 conditions for permit issuance will be met for the duration of
369 the permit; otherwise, a permit may be issued for a shorter
370 duration that reflects the longest period for which such
371 reasonable assurances are provided. Such a permit is subject to
372 compliance reports under subsection (4).
373 Section 9. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
374 made by this act to section 366.91, Florida Statutes, in
375 references thereto, paragraph (e) of subsection (3) and
376 paragraph (b) of subsection (18) of section 403.973, Florida
377 Statutes, are reenacted to read:
378 403.973 Expedited permitting; amendments to comprehensive
379 plans.—
380 (3)
381 (e) Projects resulting in the production of biofuels
382 cultivated on lands that are 1,000 acres or more or in the
383 construction of a biofuel or biodiesel processing facility or a
384 facility generating renewable energy, as defined in s.
385 366.91(2)(e), are eligible for the expedited permitting process.
386 (18) The following projects are ineligible for review under
387 this part:
388 (b) A project, the primary purpose of which is to:
389 1. Effect the final disposal of solid waste, biomedical
390 waste, or hazardous waste in this state.
391 2. Produce electrical power, unless the production of
392 electricity is incidental and not the primary function of the
393 project or the electrical power is derived from a fuel source
394 for renewable energy as defined in s. 366.91(2)(e).
395 3. Extract natural resources.
396 4. Produce oil.
397 5. Construct, maintain, or operate an oil, petroleum, or
398 sewage pipeline.
399 Section 10. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025.