The environmental study was published as Public Service Commission energy hearings pick up this Fall.
A new study commissioned by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF[1]) is raising questions about Florida’s reliance on natural gas for energy.
The EDF paid for the analysis by EQ Research[2], which concluded that “rising natural gas costs pose an affordability threat for Floridians.”
A survey showed that 82% of consumers in Florida are frustrated by high energy costs in the state. Solar remains the lowest-cost source for generating electricity and is about 20% to 28% less expensive than natural gas, the EDF said in a news release.
“Affordability is a top concern for Floridians. Few families and businesses can absorb these kinds of price spikes. Home grown renewable energy provides a more cost-effective way to meet Florida’s energy demands” said Dawn Shirreffs, Florida Director of the EDF.
“We applaud Florida’s investor-owned utilities for making historic investments in solar power generation which will reduce Florida’s dependence on natural gas and lower consumer risk.”
The EDF study is being published as the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC[3]) is holding rate case hearings for Florida Power & Light through Oct. 17. There are also fuel cost hearings set for Nov. 4.
EDF officials say they anticipate legislation by state lawmakers in the next year that might restrict increased solar operations on Florida’s agricultural lands.
“Florida’s dependence on costly natural gas is currently at 75% and predicted to remain high,” said David Cranston, Florida Energy Policy Manager at the EDF.
“This research demonstrates that diversifying energy sources is a critical hedge to protect against volatile fuel costs that hit residents and small businesses the hardest. The Sunshine State must continue to aggressively build solar to stabilize Floridians’ electric bills and reduce costs.”
According to the EDF study, higher energy bills are linked to Florida’s reliance on natural gas. It’s a resource the EDF says is historically volatile and has shown a tendency to produce unexpected spikes in prices between September 2021 and January 2023.
