Florida Governor Vetoes anti-Rooftop Solar Bill

by Christian Roselund

On 27 April, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed a utility-authored bill that would have destroyed the state’s rooftop solar market by greatly reducing compensation to homeowners under its net metering policy. DeSantis framed his veto in economic terms, with the following statement: “Given that the United States is experiencing its worst inflation in 40 years and that consumers have seen steep increases in the price of gas and groceries, as well as escalating bills, the state of Florida should not contribute to the financial crunch that our citizens are experiencing.”

Net metering is the fundamental policy for rooftop solar in the United States and allows for a 1:1 exchange of electricity from solar installations with retail power from the grid. The policy is popular in Florida, with 84% of state residents polled in February 2022 supporting the policy.

“The state of Florida should not contribute to the financial crunch that our citizens are experiencing.”
– Governor Ron DeSantis.

HB 741 had been the subject of significant scandal after a Miami Herald investigation revealed that the bill had been authored by the state’s largest utility, Florida Power and Light, and given to a legislator. Despite this, it passed both houses of the Florida Legislature. Governor DeSantis’ veto was widely celebrated by renewable energy advocates and the solar industry.

For more on HB 741, see the 11 March 2022 edition of the U.S. Energy Transition Report.

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Source: Image of Governor DeSantis’ veto letter (Alissajean, Twitter)

News coverage: Breaking: Florida governor Ron DeSantis vetoes awful solar net metering bill (Electrek)