Florida Supreme Court sets arguments on solar amendment

BY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments May 5 about whether a solar-energy initiative should be allowed on the November ballot, according to an order issued Monday. The initiative, pushed by a group called "Consumers for Smart Solar," needs Supreme Court approval of the proposed ballot wording. The Supreme Court does not rule on the merits of proposed constitutional amendments. Consumers for Smart Solar is backed by Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy, Tampa Electric and Gulf Power. It started after a group known as "Floridians for Solar Choice" began trying to get on the ballot with a rival solar initiative, though Floridians for Solar Choice did not submit enough petition signatures by a Feb. 1 deadline to qualify. The Consumers for Smart Solar measure would generally maintain the status quo in allowing Floridians with solar equipment on their property to sell energy to power companies. It has met the petition-signature requirements.