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Nuclear energy a laughing matter?

A consultant thinks it could be if a panel labels it renewable.

By ASJYLYN LODER
Published July 18, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - On Tuesday morning, in an out-of-the way ballroom at the Vinoy, the first quiet skirmish marked the beginning of Gov. Charlie Crist's vision for Florida's energy future.

In the half-empty room, about 50 spectators sat through the arcane musings of a little-known government body: the Florida Energy Commission's advisory group on renewable energy. At issue: what does "renewable" include, and what will count toward Crist's mandate that utilities get 20 percent of their energy from renewable sources?

Can it include nuclear power, and even coal?

Yes, said Bill Cramer Jr., a commissioner and chairman of the advisory group, arguing for a "nontraditional" definition of renewables. His argument left some in the group and the audience sputtering in disbelief.

"I do think, worldwide, you'll have a hard time passing the laugh test," if the commission includes nuclear, said Christy Herig, a consultant on renewable energy and land use for Segue Energy Consulting.

"I'm not worried about the world laughing," Cramer replied.

The nine-member commission was appointed by the state Legislature in 2006 to study and make recommendations on Florida's energy policy. Its first report isn't due yet, and it remains to be seen how much say it will have in shaping the state's energy future.

But the meeting Tuesday - watched by lobbyists, utility staffers and environmentalists - provided a glimpse of the struggle to come.

"There is a struggle by various interested parties to pull the renewable definition one way or the other," said Frank Leslie, a member of the advisory group, and a professor at the Florida Institute of Technology. "Nuclear is not renewable." Neither is nuclear "nontraditional," since it has been used for decades, he said.

Tuesday's meeting was the first of several events scheduled to be held at the Vinoy this week. Today, the full Florida Energy Commission has a 10 a.m. meeting, followed by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs "Farm to Fuel" summit on Thursday and Friday.

At every meeting, and in the hallways, restaurants and bars nearby, Crist's energy policy will be debated and picked apart, said Susan Glickman, an environmental activist with the National Resources Defense Council and the Climate Group.

Glickman said she expected heavy lobbying and quiet maneuvering from both sides. But instead of sports or warfare, she compared it to a different sort of drama: "It's like watching a soap opera."

Asjylyn Loder can be reached at 813 225-3117 or aloder@sptimes.com.

Fast Facts:

If you go

Florida Energy Commission meeting:

Today, 10 a.m.

Florida Farm to Fuel Summit:

Preregistration is closed. On-site registration will be available on a first come, first served basis due to limited availability. Registration opens today from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The summit will be held Thursday and Friday. For a full schedule , go to: www.floridafarmtofuel.com/agenda.htm.

Both events are scheduled to take place at the Marriott Renaissance Vinoy Resort, 501 Fifth Ave. NE, St. Petersburg.

[Last modified July 18, 2007, 01:17:14]