The following is a brief summary of the main energy related problems and issues to be dealt with over the next few years, and policy options and solutions to deal with the problems and needs.

Energy will be a major issue in Florida for the next decade. There are several reasons for this:

(1) Energy is a major economic factor in the Florida economy.

(2) Fla. is currently almost totally dependent on imported fuel, which leaves the Fla. economy vulnerable and at risk. The significance of this is increased since U.S. oil reserves are rapidly declining; this is a major factor in the record U.S. trade deficit that is responsible for exporting our capital and reducing U.S. wealth; and emissions from coal are causing widespread environmental and health problems through acid pollutants, mercury, and other toxic emissions. At current production and consumption rates, proven U.S. oil reserves would be greatly depleted in 10 years. Both the U.S. and Florida are importing a higher percent of oil than ever before.

(3) Importing over $25 billion per year in fuel is a major capital drain on the state economy.

(4) The largest source of atmospheric pollution and some of the most serious water pollution in the state are from energy production and use. Food chain impacts on fish, animals, and human health appear very serious already.

(5) The Federal Health Agency, Center for Disease Control, indicates that many thousands of Fla. children each year are having their health or learning ability significantly adversely affected by toxic metals. Based on blood tests, over 10% of women of childbearing age have levels of mercury high enough to cause developmental effects in infants. Dangerous levels of lead in drinking water, soil, paint, etc. and arsenic from treated wood of decks and playgrounds, as well as from shellfish have been documented. Dangerous levels of mercury resulting in fish consumption warnings have been found in the freshwater fish in over 50% of lakes and streams tested in all parts of the state have been documented to be serious problems made worse by acidity and acid pollutants; 27 species of saltwater fish and shellfish have been found to commonly have dangerous levels of mercury in Florida coastal waters; coal power plants and incinerators have been found to be the main source of the mercury, which studies in other areas have found to have contaminated over 100 thousand lakes in most states and Canadian provinces to levels requiring fish consumption bans or warnings. Mercury, dioxins, PCBs, PAHs, and pesticides are having catastrophic effects on bird and animal populations at the top of the food chain in Florida and elsewhere. Dioxins and PAHs appear similarly widespread like mercury in Florida and are even more toxic and carcinogenic.

(6) There is scientific consensus that the ozone layer is declining over the U.S. and that global warming is occurring. The 1990 s was the warmest decade in recorded history and most of the warmest years in history were all since 1980. The average global temperature has been progressively increasing, with melting icecaps, rising sea levels, saltwater intrusion, increased droughts and decertification, increased severity of storms, insect borne diseases, water table draw down, crop losses, etc. Due to the declining ozone layer, exposure to ultraviolet radiation is increasing with increased skin cancers and other immune conditions. These could have immense impacts on Florida’s coastal areas and tourist industries.

These circumstances together mean that Fla. faces some serious issues for the 2000s on energy related issues. However there are known options and methodologies that can go a long way toward alleviating all of these problems, while consensus is developed on alternative long-range options for Fla.( & U.S. & world) compatible with Florida's economic and environmental situation.

Incinerators need to be either shut down or have scrubbers with activated carbon systems installed to control mercury, dioxins, etc. which are documented to be having extremely serious consequences in Florida. Currently the value of the health and environmental effects far exceed the value of the benefits. More attention needs to be given to conservation, cogeneration, energy efficiency, natural gas, fuel cells, landfill gas recovery, and environmental or health effects of energy choices in the near term; and alternative energy options in the long term.

In the near future Fla. needs to begin the process of developing a comprehensive state energy policy, which takes into, account both long term economic and quality of life factors. We need to implement least cost utility planning that takes into account all effects and costs, like many other progressive or energy dependent states already have, where the adverse effects on environment, climate, and health are explicitly taken into account in energy decisions and choices. This would allow equal consideration of conservation, energy efficiency, cogeneration, natural gas, load sharing, alternative energy sources, and new power plants to satisfy future energy needs. Recently we seem to be moving in the opposite direction, and that is a dangerous path to take.

There are a very wide range of cost effective conservation and energy efficiency measures already known and used in other states that can make the Fla. economy more efficient and productive while saving money and lowering pollution.

There is a large supply of natural gas in the U.S. and our 2 neighboring trading partners (Canada and Mexico) which can be used for many years in modern, reliable, efficient, and clean burning combined cycle gas generating plants, cogeneration plants,fuel cells, gas heat pumps, heating systems and chillers for commercial applications. Some expert say we have at least 40 to 50 years supply of natural gas and enough to help a transition to other options. If in the future gas supplies become questionable or expensive, proven and cost effective coal gasification technology and coalbed methane is already available and cost effective to convert coal to gas. There are already plans to convert some coal to gas at the mine site and to distribute the gas in existing or connected gas pipe lines. Of the current coal options, coal gasification with combined cycle gas plants appear to already be the least cost way to burn coal when total costs are considered, with the likelihood of being much less environmentally damaging than other options. Several large utilities in the state have already made this conclusion. In any case coal gas from mine sites and other local gasifiers may take pressure off the large supply of natural gas available to Florida from Mobile Bay.

Higher energy prices have made use of methane from old landfills and sewer facilities cost effective, but Florida is increasingly lagging behind in promotion and use of such measures that reduce pollution, global warming, capital outflow, etc. while saving money.

There have also been some promising breakthroughs recently in solar collectors, solar photovoltaics, energy efficient and low polluting fuel cells, heat pipes, desiccant cooling systems, storage batteries, and vehicles powered by fuel cells, natural gas, methane, batteries charged by electricity or solar photovoltaics or hydrogen, etc.

Florida has both serious energy problems and many possible options to deal with the problems. The task is to develop consensus on policies and incentives which allow the most societally beneficent choices to be made by government policy makers, government agencies, utilities, and the public; while coordinating with and encouraging similar initiatives at the Federal and International levels.

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