Earlier this month more than 130 people joined the Sierra Club Florida-led Sunshine State Clean Energy Coalition at a Citizens' Hearing for Clean Energy Solutions to call for greater investments in energy savings and solar power in the state.
Sierra Club Florida organizer Julia Hathaway said the Tampa meeting drew people from around the region -- including seven public officials -- to tell the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) to boost energy savings goals, clean air, and clean energy jobs in 2014.
The Sierra Club and the Sunshine State Clean Energy Coalition held this public hearing because the PSC had denied a request to hold an official hearing in the area. The Florida PSC decides this summer whether to strengthen or weaken state-wide energy efficiency programs.
"We want to create a forum to ensure public participation in the decision making process, which will set the course for the next ten years," says Hathaway.
"At our hearing, after opening statements by some of the elected officials, three expert presentations set a compelling case for why Floridians need to stand up for their own energy future. Then people lined up to testify themselves."
A number of groups new to the coalition -- including the NAACP and the League of Women Voters -- also had members attend the hearing. Hathaway says the meeting was a huge success because of how many people got involved. "We saw increased involvement by elected officials, not only in terms of individuals present but also depth of engagement," she explains. "At the end of the evening, County Commissioner Ken Welch, a former Progress Florida employee, took the floor to say that he would press the county commission for greater leadership."
Hathway credits the amazing volunteers with the coalition for this great hearing success.
"In addition to collecting formal comments, this Citizens Hearing served as a ramp-up to the Coalition's Rally for Energy Savings, which will take place during the public hearing at the Public Service Commission on July 21st," she says. "Our coalition is working to fill up the buses!"
The Sierra Club and Sunshine State Clean Energy Coalition will hold a rally on Monday, July 21 at 11 AM outside the PSC building in Tallahassee, repeating their call for the PSC to strengthen energy savings goals in 2014.