Florida Renewable Energy Tour, 2009 was a Huge Success!

State Representatives and Senators, renewable energy advocates, industry leaders, utilities representatives, and government officials gathered in 5 cities in 5 days throughout the state.

Discussion topics included stimulating jobs and inward investments in Florida, the proposed Florida Renewable Portfolio Standard energy bill and policies such as Feed in Tariffs and other energy incentives with a special highlight on the historical progress of Gainesville, Fl., the first municipality in the United States to establish a Feed in Tariff policy.

The tour traveled Florida, answering a very important question: "How can we use the demand for renewable energy to create jobs and economic recovery?”

“The Florida economy needs new engines of growth; renewables can add hundreds of thousands of jobs here; the catalyst will be energy policies such as Gainesville’s solar feed in tariff that lead to long term investment security,” says John Burges of the Florida Alliance for Renewable Energy.

Speakers included: Representative Paige Kreegel, Representative Seth McKeel, Representative Gary Aubuchon, Representative Scott Randolph, Representative Geraldine Thompson, Representative Mary Brandenburg, Representative Maria Sachs, Representative Keith Fitzgerald, Representative Doug Holder, Jerry Karnas of the Environmental Defense Fund, John Burges of Florida Alliance for Renewable Energy, Pete DeNapoli of Solar World, Nick Gladding of Ruden McClosky, Tim Morgan of Morgan Electric, John Hutchens of Casto Lifestyle Properties, Brett Hutchens of Casto Lifestyle Properties, Wayne Wallace of Solar Source, John Alger of AET, Don Davis of Capitol City Bank, Dr. Glen Thomas, Dr. Roger Messenger, and Mike Antheil of the Florida Alliance for Renewable Energy.

Held February 24th through the 28th, 2009 in West Palm Beach, Lakeland, Sarasota, Ft. Myers and Orlando.

Fort Myers: Wayne Wallace, Rep. Paige Kreegel, Mike Antheil, Jerry Karnas, Rep. Gary Aubuchon
Orlando: Senator Lee Constantine, John Burges, Mike Antheil
Orlando: Rep Geraldine Thompson & Rep Scott Randolph
Lakeland: Rep. Seth McKeel, Jerry Karnas, Brett Hucthens		West Palm Beach: Rep. Maria Sacks speaks with the crowd.
Rep. Mary Brandenburg speaks with Roger Messenger		Sarasota event hosted by USF Manatee
Sarasota: Moderator David Klement, Mike Antheil, Rep. Doug Holder, Rep. Keith Fitzgerald, Nick Gladding, and Kellyn Eberhardt