In response to the passage of CS/CS/HB 741, “Net Metering” by the state legislature, Sierra Club Florida sent a letter to Governor Ron DeSantis requesting he veto the bill. The full letter to the Governor is below.
Sierra Club Florida says the legislation threatens new rooftop solar by reducing how much utilities pay homeowners and small businesses for the electricity they send to the grid by ~80% over the next seven years and allows utilities permission to request excessive additional fees, and outright prohibiting solar access in certain circumstances.
“If Governor DeSantis is really serious about the economy, freedom, or the environment, he should veto this bill as soon as it hits his desk,” said Luigi Guadarrama, Political Director for Sierra Club Florida. “As we’ve said before, with the Climate Crisis threatening Florida, solar access should be easier, not harder.”
Currently, rooftop solar owners are paid at the same rate the utility sells power to all customers, this is called the “net metering rate.” This legislation cuts that rate over the course of seven years. Not only would this threaten homeowners’ ability to finance new solar installations, but it will also drive the rooftop solar industry out of Florida.
These changes will shutter small businesses and cost thousands of middle-class jobs. Net metering is vital to making rooftop solar accessible. By compensating solar owners for the excess electricity they share back to the grid, the program helps offset installation costs and encourages larger solar systems. Among the public, net metering remains an extremely popular program in Florida. A recent poll found that 84% of Florida voters, including 76% of Republican voters, support net metering.
“Perhaps this is due to the $3.2 Billion that the solar industry provides in household income to Florida’s workers,” said Steve Wonderly, Executive Committee Chair for Sierra Club Florida. “Perhaps it’s because 92% of Floridians believe in the impacts of climate change. It is crystal clear: Floridians recognize rooftop solar is worth the investment.”
The Florida Chapter of the Sierra Club urges governor DeSantis to veto this bill as soon as possible. Rooftop solar remains one of the most valuable tools America has against the ongoing climate crisis, and protecting the freedom of homeowners and small businesses to access rooftop solar should be a priority for any official serious about combating climate change.
Here’s the full letter to Governor DeSantis from Sierra Club Florida:
Sierra Club Florida - Net Metering Veto Letter (SIGNED)