TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Sharing of generators by gas stations and encouraging pipeline development are among several suggestions for how Florida can ensure a reliable and adequate supply of energy in the future, the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) said.
While the report's focus is on ensuring a continuous, reliable energy supply, the comprehensive study of what should be done was prompted by two summers of hurricanes, which pointed out several vulnerabilities in how Florida gets fuel for its electric generation and gas for its cars, said [image-nocss] the Associated Press.
The hurricanes really gave us a bit of a wakeup call when it came to our energy supply, said Colleen Castille, DEP secretary.
Gasoline was hard to come by for several days after recent hurricanes, in some cases because of port closures that prevented supply from arriving. But in many cases there was gasolinebut no power to pump it.
The DEP plan said gas stations should pool their resources and share generators based on need. That would be an alternative to more costly proposals under consideration in the state legislature requiring stations to have generators.
The panel suggested a goal of having 10% of Florida gas stations in such a network by June 1, and proposed trying to double that number by the beginning of the 2007 hurricane season.
The plan includes several ideas for cutting use of traditional fuels such as oil and gas, including tax breaks for companies that make or use ethanol, biodiesel or other alternative fuels. The plan also calls for the state to set an example with its own cars and buildings.
It also suggested that an overarching problem is that Floridians simply have to drive too much. It takes at least an hour no matter where you're going in Miami-Dade County, Castille said. That is a really an inefficient use of fuel. We've really got to move forward with public transportation.
The plan also said that the state should encourage development of pipelines for the delivery of gasoline rather than relying on fuel brought by ship.
Click here to view the Florida Energy Plan.
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