Manatee County leaders fail to embrace solar power

The Manatee County Board of Commissioners has failed to lead by example in a renewable energy policy for county buildings.

More than two years have passed since I explained the benefits of Solar Renewable Energy. To date, there is no renewable energy policy in place, nor one solar panel on any government/citizen-owned building that the county has installed. Yet they deem it appropriate for the commission to approve a $1.4 million “incentive” kickback to FPL for the solar farm in Parrish. That money would have been better spent on putting solar on government/citizen-owned buildings that we the taxpayers fork over $600,000 per month to FPL in billing.

Hundreds of thousands of square feet are available including the new transit facility, Port of Manatee and other buildings that are perfect for solar. It would provide for local jobs, reduce greenhouse gases and much more to our community. It would set a positive example to the taxpayers and citizen of Manatee County.

If our elected officials don’t see the benefits or have the vision for renewable solar power, perhaps the citizens should have the vision not to re-elect them.

Thomas Edison said, “I’d put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don’t have to wait till oil and coal run out before we tackle that. I wish I had more years left.” He died in 1931; now he had “vision.”

This story was originally published June 9, 2017 at 12:39 PM with the headline "Manatee County leaders fail to embrace solar power."