Protecting Florida Panther Habitat and Promoting Solar Energy in the Sunshine State
Florida is finally taking steps to live up to its moniker, the Sunshine State. Industrial-sized solar energy plants are being developed by companies and communities that realize the benefits these plants bring to address climate change, improve air quality, and spur economic development.
Florida’s commitment to converting to clean, sustainable energy is a big step in the right direction, but as with all new forms of development, it is critical to do it right and build smart from the start.
In Northwest Florida, the City of Tallahassee is constructing its first large solar energy project, wisely building on an already degraded 120-acre area at the Tallahassee International Airport. The city avoided the adjacent Apalachicola National Forest where such a project would have impacted gopher tortoises and Eastern indigo snake habitat. Although not even online, the city’s utilities customers (including myself) have already fully subscribed to all the electricity to be generated at this field, and the City has a waiting list of customers for a larger solar field set to be constructed in 2018.
Smart from the Start
Solar plants require large swaths of land ranging from 100 to 500 acres. To prevent any conflicts between Florida’s clean energy future and the future of wildlife, Defenders staff is working with the solar industry to ensure that these renewable energy plants are compatible with protecting important habitat for the Florida panther, Florida black bear, gopher tortoise and other species.
Defenders is employing “Smart from the Start” concepts developed by our Renewable Energy and Wildlife program for appropriately planning and siting energy and transmission projects. We are following the models established by our colleagues in California and other western states that have demonstrated the value of early involvement. By becoming engaged early on, we are able to direct and incentivize development away from high-value wildlife habitat and instead direct it to low-conflict areas near existing transmission lines and roads, while also ensuring any unavoidable impacts are fully mitigated through habitat conservation elsewhere.
We are currently working with Florida Power and Light (FPL) to discuss innovative ways to minimize the impacts of two solar plants planned in Hendry County on important habitat for the endangered Florida panther and its prey. We are partnering with FPL to protect panthers and other species, by identifying suitable low-conflict development sites and encouraging the use of protective fencing to avoid fragmenting essential habitat and travel corridors. By discussing ways FPL could restore hydrology and wildlife habitat for a variety of birds and other wildlife species on these properties, Defenders is helping FPL commit to being smart from the start.
Shaping a Brighter Future in Florida
Our work on the ground and the successes have reaffirmed our belief that we do not have to choose between reducing our greenhouse gas pollution and protecting our rich wildlife legacy. That is why we are also actively shaping law and policy to advance Florida’s clean energy economy.
Earlier this year, Defenders supported legislation to implement a state constitutional amendment that provides a property tax exemption for the assessed value of a solar or renewable energy source device. In an effort to raise awareness and educate legislators, policy makers and the public on this important amendment, Defenders helped sponsor a film screening of “Catching the Sun,” in Tallahassee. In addition to the film, the event showcased Defenders’ “Smart from the Start” planning work and Defenders’ staff were on hand to explain the critical importance of advancing responsible energy development that avoids important wildlife habitat. Bringing out more than 125 people over two nights, the event was a major success.
The Florida Legislature passed CS/SB 90 and in June Governor Scott signed it into law. This new law will provide valuable tax incentives that will continue to spur renewable energy development across the state. For the next twenty years, more renewable energy source devices will be covered, and this is now retroactive to previously installed devices as well. The law expands prohibitions against considering the value of a renewable energy source device in determining the assessed value of real property from just residential property to all real property. It also exempts renewable energy source devices from the tangible personal property tax.
Because of the active engagement by Defenders and others, we are confident that Florida can harness the sunshine it is known for while also protecting its rich biodiversity and wildlife. Through our diverse, broad-reaching work, we are shaping policies and developing strategies for renewable energy innovation that avoids and minimizes impacts to wildlife. Our work demonstrates that America can achieve a clean energy future while protecting our rich wildlife legacy.
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