Conservation
Why Support Efficiency and Renewable Energy Legislation in
Florida?
Energy efficiency measures can go a long way toward reducing our dependence on polluting fossil fuels, such as oil and coal. Clean renewable energy can eventually take us the rest of the way to a clean and vibrant energy economy that creates jobs and stimulates technological innovation.
Whooping Cranes over Dunnellon Airport
Sunday, January 27, 2008, 8:37am Water Conservation:
A Lay Persons View Point From Where I Sit In Marion County
I had to look outside of Marion County to fully understand the water
situation in Marion County. My article in the last Scrub Jay spoke of
the Garden Club water conferences throughout the state, the two-day
conference for my Garden Club District.
By: Judy Greenberg
The transition as a state, nation and throughout the world is inevitable because fossil fuels are nonrenewable and because the impacts of climate change—such as sea level rise, more intense storms, storm surges and drought—pose serious threats to birds, wildlife, and our state’s natural treasures.
Florida is making progress in improving its energy efficiency measures and this was recognized in a report released in October by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE). The report provided a detailed comparison of states progress on a range of energy efficiency measures. Compared to the last report card in 2007, Florida was among the four most improved states, jumping ten points from 29th in the 2007 ACEEE report card to 19th in this year’s scorecard.
While progress is being made on energy efficiency, much remains to be accomplished to stimulate growth of renewable energy in the state. The legislature passed Energy Bill 7135 this year, which included direction to the Florida Public Service Commission to develop what is called a Renewable Portfolio Standard, which requires electric utilities to provide a growing percentage of their electricity by using clean, renewable energy. Audubon is advocating for a standard that provides 20 percent of our electricity from clean sources, such as solar power, by 2020.
Robert Reedy, Director of UCF Florida Solar Energy Center, reports that solar generating potential from residential rooftops alone in Florida is 35 gigawatts (equal to 23 new 1500 megawatt power plants).
Strong renewable energy standards need to be coupled with a smart grid system to provide safe, reliable means for distributed power generation. With more progress toward creating robust renewable energy standards, Florida could easily move up even further in future ACEEE report cards and be an example for other states around the country.
How You Can Help
Audubon is working to tip the scales toward strong energy efficiency measures, solar and all other forms of clean, renewable energy as fast as we can because these policies will help solve climate change, provide relief from high oil prices, strengthen national security, and especially stimulate the economy and green job creation.
Please contact the Florida Public Services Commission and let them know you support a 20% or greater Renewable Portfolio Standard by 2020, as recommended by Governor Charlie Crist in Executive Order 07-127.
You can also participate by joining the Audubon Climate Action Network, which entitles you to become a member of the Alliance For Climate Protection’s We Can Solve the Climate Crisis Campaign. Sign up today by visiting
www.audubonofflorida.org
by Ron Broman
Airport, Dunnellon, Florida
The first ultra-light was spotted through a pair of binoculars as a dot at the edge of the gray cloud line, scarcely above the trees. Why had I expected the approaching crafts with their ungainly payload in "tow" to be much higher in the sky?
It took another 12 minutes before "mama and baby" sailed over the eager faces in a scene resembling an upside-down maternity ward. Hearts fluttered. Cameras shuttered.
But where where the other 17 Whooping Cranes?
Then --- an extended arm with pointed finger; binoculars trained; a shout "there's one, and another, and another." One seemed to have quite a following. Soon they had all sailed over us and on to their Crystal River destination.
This may have been the last time the ultra-lights of Operation Migration have ferried their precious brood over Marion County, lighting up our sky with knowing that the "Whoopers are back!" The members of the Audubon Societies of Marion and Citrus Counties and many others who realize the significance of this program support, salute, and applaud the absolutely untiring efforts of Operation Migration and Crane Foundation in bringing this magnificant species back from the brink of extinction and to one of their historical homes; and we were there!
By Judy Greenberg
The two-day event began with a Legislative Luncheon on Friday and then a
Springs Festival on Saturday. Fanning Springs was the site for the
conference. As a result of the conference, the Suwannee River Garden
Club was formed and the Fanning Springs State Park decided to sponsor an
annual Springs Festival. The 2008 festival date is March 8th.
Of course, Marion County has had a Springs Festival for the past five
years, and at the time of the Fanning Springs Festival, our county was
finalizing the Springs Protection Program that was adopted by the Board
of County Commissioners this summer. Marion County’s Springs Protection
is touted as being the most comprehensive program in the state. In fact,
Marion County has been at the forefront of Springs Protection and for
obvious reasons. We have three - magnitude one springs: Rainbow, Silver
and Silver Glenn. And the people of Marion County are concerned about
the springs.
Well, Marion County is facing a bigger water issue now. How to protect
the rivers and lakes in our county from excessive withdrawal for public
use by other counties? This is a daunting task. However, we are better
prepared now to deal with our water supply needs than we were five years
ago because the county spent money and time to study the issue. The
Springs Protection Program is one outcome of this study that will have
significant implications to us. This study tells us how to conserve
water for the future by protecting the land and by changing some of our
daily habits.
I’d like to talk briefly about how Marion County is protecting the land
for the purpose of water conservation. The county adopted a program
called Farmland Preservation and transferring development rights. This
program will help the county concentrate future development so we can
have centralized water systems. It allows landowners in rural areas to
sell the development rights off their land and requires developers to
purchase these development rights in order to increase density. This is
a good move by the county according to the latest studies by experts in
the field of water management and land use planning.
Additionally, farmers and ranchers in the county are continually
learning about best management practices for protecting the land that
remains as farmland.
Preserving large areas of rural land for the protection of our water
resources is an important component. However, rural areas have
homeowners and businesses that must participate with their urban
counterparts in water conservation. We must all participate in water
conservation somehow. As a homeowner or business owner there are many
things we can do.
I have a Water Conservation Bucket. This bucket is symbolic for me as to
how simple water conservation can be. One of my fellow Garden Clubbers
told me recently that she conserves water by catching the cold shower
water in a bucket instead of letting it be wasted. Then she uses the
water for other household purposes. This is the type of lesson my
grandfather taught me when I was a kid. Some folks find that the bucket
is too heavy to carry out of the shower. Your local plumber can help you
by installing one of the new gadgets that heat water at the point that
you need it. These gadgets can be installed under sinks, in the kitchen
and in the bathroom. The key is to be creative and dedicated to water
conservation.
Another item in my Water Conservation Bucket is the Water Web:
Sustainability newsletter to remind me that our kids probably know more
about the subject than most 30 year olds. This sustainability newsletter
is an excellent learning tool for young and old. I truly hope that
parents and grandparents will seek out opportunities to learn with the
children and help each other make needed changes at our homes and
businesses.
Some other water conservation materials in my bucket cover the topics of
Saving Water Indoors:
Our Water Management Districts are a great source for these materials.
You can start your search for Water Management Districts on the internet
by logging on to www.dep.state.fl.us . This is the website for the
Florida Department of Environmental Protection that is the agency
accountable to the citizens for the Water Management Districts.