Florida Needs More Progress On Energy

Florida PIRG and a coalition of environmental and consumer advocates recently applauded Gov. Jeb Bush and the Legislature for addressing Florida’s energy issues.

The group voiced concerns, however, that clean energy programs critical to addressing the state’s growing energy demands were largely ignored or underfunded, and that components of the governor’s plan to fast track new power plant construction could limit the input of local government and citizens.

Clean energy advocates have been calling on state policymakers to focus on stronger energy efficiency policies, major investments in solar power, Public Service Commission (PSC) reform and study of the impact of global warming on Florida’s coastal economy.

While state leaders have begun looking at energy issues in recent months—the governor held an Energy Forum and the Department of Environmental Protection released Energy Plan recommendations— clean energy advocates believe that they are not doing enough to curb the effect of global warming on Florida’s beloved coast or to ensure that Florida consumers are benefitting from investments in better efficiency and energy conservation.

“Reducing electricity use is the logical goal of energy efficiency and conservation programs, and they have the added benefit of reducing electricity bills for consumers,” said Florida PIRG’s Holly Binns. “As legislators address energy issues in Florida, we urge them to reform Public Service Commission practices that block cost-effective energy efficiency, conservation and clean energy programs.”

Florida Facilities Violate Clean Water Act

CLEAN WATER—Duval County ranks 20th in the nation in the number of facilities exceeding their Clean Water Act permits, which is bad news for the thousands of Floridians who enjoy fishing, boating, swimming and viewing wildlife on the St. Johns River, pictured above.

With 13 of 20 facilities exceeding Clean Water Act pollution permits between July 2003 and December 2004, Duval County ranks 20th in the nation in the number of facilities exceeding their permits, according to Troubled Waters, a report released March 23 by Florida PIRG.

“Polluters are using America’s waters as their dumping ground. Instead of solving the problem, the Bush administration is slashing the EPA’s budget and weakening critical clean water programs,” said Florida PIRG’s Adam Rivera.

The report found that Florida ranks 12th in the country for percentage of facilities exceeding their pollution permits.

While the 1972 Clean Water Act has made significant strides in cleaning up U.S. waterways, the law’s goals of eliminating the discharge of pollutants into waterways by 1985 and making all U.S. waters safe for fishing, swimming and other uses by 1983 have not been reached.

Today, more than 40 percent of U.S. waterways are unsafe for swimming and fishing. In Florida, more than 50 percent of rivers and 75 percent of lakes are impaired.

“All Americans deserve clean water to drink and safe places to swim and fish. To clean up our waterways, this continuing pollution must stop,” said Rivera.

Florida Teachers Face High Student Loan Debt

More than 21 percent of all graduates of four-year public colleges have too much debt to manage as a starting teacher in Florida, according to a report released on April 5 by Florida PIRG. Paying Back, Not Giving Back estimated the percentage of college graduates in Florida who would have unmanageable debt after becoming a teacher or a social worker.

“Public servants like teachers and social workers are vital to the success of our communities,” said Florida PIRG’s Brad Ashwell. “Unfortunately, high student loan debt can prevent many students from embarking on these critical, yet low-paying careers.”

Florida PIRG examined the student debt of recent college graduates and starting salaries for public service careers to determine the percentages of teachers and social workers with unmanageable debt in the state.

Florida PIRG released this report as part of a nationwide effort to draw attention to the issue of undergraduate student loan debt. In February, Congress passed a $12 billion cut to student loan programs.