Jacksonville — Governor Ron DeSantis vetos Florida’s heavily lobbied net metering bill HB 741 to afford residential homeowners who own solar panels the ability to sell back unused energy to utility companies.
Describing the veto as saving customers money, the measure is seen as a major setback for Florida Power and Light (FPL).
In his veto letter DeSantis wrote:
“Given that the United States is experiencing its worst inflation in 40 years and that consumers have seen steep increases in the price of gas and groceries, as well as escalating bills, the state of Florida should not contribute to the financial crunch that our citizens are experiencing.”
As critics claim the bill would have devastated the solar power company, FPL described the proposal as leveling the playing field because residents without solar panels subsidize those who do.
“At FPL we are always working to deliver clean, reliable energy while keeping customer bills affordable,” said FPL in a statement. “We remain committed to finding an equitable net metering solution for all Floridians. Florida Power and Light is leading the nation’s largest solar expansion and we will continue to advance solar that is cost-effective for all our customers.”
Environmental groups adamantly opposed the bill, frightened that it would have clipped Florida’s solar industry before it was able to prove its value.
The bill was sponsored by Republican representative Lawrence McClure.
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