St. Pete Rep. Dwight Dudley says utility-backed solar amendment hinders energy choice for consumers

BY Rob Lorei

Floridians will get a chance this fall to put a utility backed solar-energy amendment into the state Constitution.Last week the Florida Supreme Court, in a 4-3 ruling found that the wording of the controversial ballot initiative backed by major utilities meets the legal standards to go before voters in NovemberThe group backing the amendment– “Consumers for Smart Solar” which will be Amendment one on this year’s ballot  say this advances solar and protects consumers.But critics expressed disappointment, as they contend the measure is simply an effort by the utilities to maintain control over solar energy and limit solar expansion here in Florida.

State Representative Dwight Dudley from St. Petersburg, who joined us on Midpoint Wednesday,  has long fought the giant electric utility companies and is an advocate for solar expansion here in Florida.