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Alternate energies needed, Bush says

TALLAHASSEE - Florida must stop relying so heavily on costly natural gas for generating its electricity, Gov. Jeb Bush said Wednesday at a meeting to discuss the state's energy future.

Bush noted that Florida looked good several years ago when it shifted much of its electricity production to natural gas from oil and coal, but now is dealing with huge spikes in its price.

"We need diversity of supply," he said. "It doesn't look (now) like we're as smart as we were seven years ago."

"As a state, do we want to be a leader in alternative sources of energy?" Bush asked. "The answer in my opinion is an enthusiastic yes."

Natural gas costs have risen because of global demand and spiked dramatically after Hurricane Katrina cut off supply from the Gulf of Mexico. Florida has also dealt with disruptions to the gasoline supply after the eight hurricanes that hit the state the last two years. Besides electric outages, gasoline supplies are affected by an inability of ships to get fuel into ports. The governor has suggested building pipelines to bring gasoline to the state.

Bush said after his speech that he likely will again ask lawmakers to put money into programs to expand the use of other renewable sources of energy. Bush last year proposed spending nearly $13-million on grants to get private hydrogen technology projects going and about $2-million in tax breaks for hydrogen use, but the Legislature didn't go along.

"I think there's more we can do in solar energy," Bush said. He also is interested in studying the use of biomass, including whether Florida's sugar industry could use sugar cane for energy production.

"We're the second-largest producer of sugar cane," Bush said. "It's possible that by providing incentives we can get into that."

Bush also said increased interest in drilling for oil and gas in the Gulf of Mexico off Florida points out that consumers are demanding cheap, reliable energy. Bush has generally opposed drilling off of Florida, but has come to support some drilling outside a 100- or 150- mile buffer zone as a compromise with those who want more.

"I think it would be hypocritical not to be promoting alternative sources of energy at the same time you're promoting "no drilling,' " Bush said.

[Last modified December 15, 2005, 00:32:19]