skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, March 29, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Groups Say Solar Amendment Would Block the Sun

play audio
Play

Thursday, September 8, 2016   

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Republicans, Democrats, Green Party supporters and many others have found something on which they all agree – their opposition to Amendment 1.

The controversial November ballot measure is billed as a way to strengthen the legal rights of homeowners with rooftop solar panels.

But critics argue it is deceptive and would allow utilities to penalize solar customers by doing away with net metering.

Pamela Goodman, president of the League of Women Voters of Florida, says both the wording and timing are confusing, as voters just last month overwhelmingly approved Amendment 4, providing tax breaks to people who install solar panels on their homes.

"We urge voters to get the facts and not be fooled by this attempt to reverse – reverse – the will of their vote for solar expansion," she states.

The pro-Amendment 1 campaign has raised close to $20 million, much of it from the state's utilities, including Duke Energy, Florida Power and Light, Gulf Power and Tampa Electric Company.

While experts say the Sunshine State has the third highest solar power potential in the nation, it lags far behind in actual solar generation.

Candace Munz, communications director of Capital Young Republicans, fears Amendment 1 would only make things worse.

"I just find it extremely disappointing that Florida is ranked 17th currently in solar power generated,” she states. “We all benefit from the use of clean, safe and inexpensive energy. Amendment 1 will be making Florida less competitive."

In her dissenting opinion in the court case to place the issue on the ballot, Florida Supreme Court Justice Barbara Pariente referred to Amendment 1 as "masquerading as pro-solar energy" and "affirmatively misleading."





get more stories like this via email

more stories
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week about the popular abortion pill Mifepristone and will weigh in on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was correct in how it can be dosed and prescribed. (Ascannio/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


Social Issues

play sound

Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Social Issues

play sound

Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …


The U.S. teaching workforce remains primarily white while the percentage of Black teachers has declined. However, the percentage of Asian and Latinx teachers is rising.(WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobestock)

Social Issues

play sound

Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …

Health and Wellness

play sound

A recent report examined how some rural Tennessee hospitals have managed to stay afloat despite financial challenges. The report includes interviews …

Many factors affect a customer's bill amount, including energy usage, weather, and the number of days in a billing period, according to Arizona Public Service. (Jason Yoder/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

play sound

Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

Health and Wellness

play sound

Medicare and Medicaid are key sources of health coverage for many Americans and some people qualify for assistance under both programs. With lagging …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021