The Florida Senate

377.601  Legislative intent.--

(1)  The Legislature finds that the ability to deal effectively with present shortages of resources used in the production of energy is aggravated and intensified because of inadequate or nonexistent information and that intelligent response to these problems and to the development of a state energy policy demands accurate and relevant information concerning energy supply, distribution, and use. The Legislature finds and declares that a procedure for the collection and analysis of data on the energy flow in this state is essential to the development and maintenance of an energy profile defining the characteristics and magnitudes of present and future energy demands and availability so that the state may rationally deal with present energy problems and anticipate future energy problems.

(2)  The Legislature further recognizes that every state official dealing with energy problems should have current and reliable information on the types and quantity of energy resources produced, imported, converted, distributed, exported, stored, held in reserve, or consumed within the state.

(3)  It is the intent of the Legislature in the passage of this act to provide the necessary mechanisms for the effective development of information necessary to rectify the present lack of information which is seriously handicapping the state's ability to deal effectively with the energy problem. To this end, the provisions of ss. 377.601-377.608 should be given the broadest possible interpretation consistent with the stated legislative desire to procure vital information.

(4)  It is the policy of the State of Florida to:

(a)  Develop and promote the effective use of energy in the state and discourage all forms of energy waste.

(b)  Play a leading role in developing and instituting energy management programs aimed at promoting energy conservation.

(c)  Include energy considerations in all planning.

(d)  Utilize and manage effectively energy resources used within state agencies.

(e)  Encourage local governments to include energy considerations in all planning and to support their work in promoting energy management programs.

(f)  Include the full participation of citizens in the development and implementation of energy programs.

(g)  Consider in its decisions the energy needs of each economic sector, including residential, industrial, commercial, agricultural, and governmental uses.

(h)  Promote energy education and the public dissemination of information on energy and its environmental, economic, and social impact.

(i)  Encourage the research, development, demonstration, and application of alternative energy resources, particularly renewable energy resources.

(j)  Consider, in its decisionmaking, the social, economic, and environmental impacts of energy-related activities, so that detrimental effects of these activities are understood and minimized.

(k)  Develop and maintain energy emergency preparedness plans to minimize the effects of an energy shortage within Florida.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-186; s. 1, ch. 77-333; s. 2, ch. 78-25.