NAACP Fights against Solar Energy Rebates in Florida

In a recent article (read it here) Adora Obi Nweze, who is the President of the Florida State Conference Branches of the NAACP wrote to the Public Service Commission, after their recent decision to promote energy efficiency through a utility run rebate service, claiming the new program will be at the expense of “low income working class Floridians”.

The PSC has to hear out the requests of Nweze and most likely conduct an additional study to prove their decision is not going to affect the lower income working class Floridians as harshly as Ms. Nweze condemns. Her letter attacks solar panels, stating that only the rich and affluent can afford them and “he bottom line is simple. Forcing low- and middle-income Floridians to subsidize energy-efficiency upgrades for those who can afford them is immoral and wrong.”

To be clear to the public, the program Nweze is attacking, estimates at this time, an 18cent per month, per meter charge or rate impact measure to fund the program. This is more that 20X less than storm clean up.

However, in order to humor, Ms. Nweze’s rant and fight for the poor who in her words, “are not the source of the problem because they do not own energy hogging pool pumps, plasma tv’s and don’t even have air conditioning”, let’s just see how much money the PSC is robbing from the poor so the rich can live so lavishly.

Just on the Florida Power and Light grid alone the program would generate approximately $13.8 Million annually to help subsidize energy efficiency upgrades. Let’s also assume 10% of that money must go to administration and marketing to make people aware of the program and ensure money is paid out timely and fairly. That would leave around $12.4 Million available annually for the investment.

Let’s assume that 25% of that money is used to subsidize the cost of solar water heaters with a $500 rebate. Resulting in just over 6,000 new solar water heating systems installed to replace old, high energy using, electric hot water heaters.

Now if Ms. Nweze looked deeper into this pool of money, passed her self serving reflection, she would promote and encourage this program to her under paid constituents which she represents. She would also recommend they take advantage of the State low cost loan program for solar water heating. By doing so, those she is looking to protect could actually benefit from  a 5-10% rise in their income by not having to pay for electric water heating. Be it as it may, she is talking about people who make a mere $10k on paper, but being able to keep an extra $1000 per year might mean a lot to that person, especially since it means a lot to MOST people...

As for the remaining 75% of the money not used for marking, administration or solar water heaters, this money could be used for an additional 930 solar photovoltaic generating systems for the “rich people”. Rich people like the postal worker, boat engine mechanic, school administrator, retired van line sales person, aerospace engineer, body shop technician and high school sports coach we just installed solar energy systems for.

All in all, the program would offset approximately 20MW of dirty power consumed each year for a mere 18cents per meter per month. If the power company could build power plants in mini-doses, according to Moody's Investor Services, the cost would range around $6000 per kilowatt. (See article).

In other words, here is a chart which severely disproves Nweze’s claim that building new generation will cost the poor 1/3rd less than energy efficiency. But perhaps, what she means is that if new plants are built the PSC should charge higher income earners more…

It is letters like Nweze’s, while her intent is good, her information and accuracy to clearly represent her cause will result in more tax dollars spent by all income classes to give the public service commission more time to research what they already know is false. Just the simple task of drafting more proof will cost money. Please take 10 minutes of your time to support the PSC decision to create a rebate program for energy efficiency upgrades to your home, such as solar water heaters, photovoltaic’s, high efficiency air conditioners and compact florescent light bulbs. (Contact the PSC Here)