Clean energy is losing steam HeraldTribune.com: "Clean energy is losing steam
By Zac Anderson
Published: Sunday, March 7, 2010 at 1:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, March 6, 2010 at 9:57 p.m.
Despite all the attention Florida has gotten for its clean energy efforts -- including President Barack Obama's recent visit to a solar plant in Arcadia -- many experts say the state's clean energy market is on the verge of collapse.
Across Florida, solar companies are laying people off because the state fund used to subsidize solar energy for the last four years has dried up and nearly 8,000 solar rebate applications are on hold. The fund faces an estimated $25 million backlog.
The Florida Legislature, which convened its annual session last week, appears unlikely to restore the fund this year, and prospects for several other bills promoting alternative energy also look dim.
By not moving forward on alternative energy at a time when other states -- as well as nations such as China -- are making solar, wind and other alternative sources a priority, one prominent state economist says Florida is missing a crucial opportunity.
'It's a big risk when you aren't investing in the future of the state's economy,' said Sean Snaith, an economist with the University of Central Florida Institute for Economic Competitiveness."
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