A net gain for consumers as DeSantis saves rooftop solar

Gov. Ron DeSantis does things on his terms, as Floridians know all too well. And every so often, the result is positive for the people of this state.

That’s definitely the case with DeSantis’ decision to veto a bill that would have decimated Florida’s rooftop solar energy industry. To the pleasant surprise of many, he vetoed HB 741, which was championed by the behemoth utility Florida Power & Light, among others, and enjoyed overwhelming support of Republican members of the Legislature — and, sadly, too many Democrats.

In a brief veto message, DeSantis did not directly address the pros and cons of the program known as net metering. Rather, he justified the veto on the grounds that inflation is out of control and that the bill would have allowed public utilities to reach into consumers’ pockets yet again and impose higher fees to recover revenues lost to homegrown solar systems on residential rooftops.

Those new charges, the governor wrote, would be “speculative and would be borne by all customers.”

“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,” DeSantis wrote.

Opponents warned that the bill would have crippled a growing rooftop solar industry and eliminated tens of thousands of jobs. The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy called it an attack on “energy freedom” for 8 million customers that would have led to higher utility bills.

“No monopoly utility owns the sun,” the group said.

The right decision

The veto message’s reference to inflation sounded like more backhanded criticism of President Joe Biden, and DeSantis missed a golden opportunity to state the case for energy independence. But regardless of his reasoning, the veto was the right decision.

The initial version of this bill was drafted by a lobbyist for FPL, as The Miami Herald first reported. It was another example of the outrageous level of access that rich and powerful special interests have to the levers of power in Tallahassee — in this case, the largest investor-owned utility in the state.

Some readers fault this newspaper for being excessively critical of DeSantis and his policies that are divisive, nakedly partisan and bad for the state. Whether readers approve or not, we will continue to call them as we see them.

But when DeSantis is right, we will say that, too, as he was in this case. Thousands of people flooded the governor’s office with calls for a veto, and this gives Floridians a ray of hope that someone in the Capitol is still listening.

FPL issued a statement after the veto that said: “We remain committed to finding a more equitable net metering solution for all Floridians. FPL is leading the nation’s largest solar expansion and we will continue to advance solar that is cost-effective for all our customers.”

After numerous public hearings and despite a huge outcry from consumers and environmental groups, the bill passed the Senate, 24-15, and the House, 83-31. At a hearing in February, dozens of people were denied the right to testify after driving long distances to Tallahassee.

South Florida voters should take special note of the fact that 13 Democratic legislators were on the wrong side of this attack against Florida consumers and energy independence.

Remember how they voted

Democrats who voted for this bill and who are seeking re-election in November

included Sen. Bobby Powell of West Palm Beach and Reps. Joe Casello of Boynton Beach, Michael Gottlieb of Davie, Anika Omphroy of Lauderdale Lakes and David Silvers of Lake Clarke Shores, according to roll call votes online.

Broward’s lone Republican legislator, Rep. Chip LaMarca of Lighthouse Point, also voted yes.

Hold these elected officials accountable for siding with FPL over their own constituents. Remember how each of them voted when they ask for your vote this fall and tell you they’re on the side of working Florida families.

When it really mattered, it turned out that Democrats could rely more on a Republican governor than some of their own party’s leaders. The governor trusted his instincts, and he was right.

The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board includes Editor-in-Chief Julie Anderson, Opinion Editor Krys Fluker, Viewpoints Editorial Jay Reddick and El Sentinel Editor Jennifer Marcial Ocasio. The Sun Sentinel Editorial Board consists of Editorial Page Editor Steve Bousquet, Deputy Editorial Page Editor Dan Sweeney, and Anderson. Email letters to insight@ orlandosentinel.com.