One bill stands out as Legislators take on energy debate

There are dozens of energy bills wending their way through the Legislature this session, but insiders consider Senate Bill 1544 the one to watch.

Sen. Ben Saunders, R-Naples, presented new language Wednesday morning. The bill proposes tax credits and grants to encourage renewable energy investment, requires that local and regional planning take into account greenhouse gas emissions, and proposes energy-efficiency guidelines for state buildings.

Most important, the bill lays the groundwork for Gov. Charlie Crist’s baby: a system to cap and trade greenhouse gases. The state would set greenhouse gas reduction targets that get stricter over time. Polluters would get emissions credits. Those that emit a lot will use up their own credits and have to go out and buy more from companies that slash greenhouse gas emissions and don’t need all their credits.

Developing a new energy policy is among Crist's top priorities, so it's likely the session will see lots of horse-trading on the issue. Negotiations could continue until the session's last minutes.

Saunders' bill closely resembles draft language prepared by Crist's staff and would solidify policies Crist set out in his executive orders at his July climate summit. While the bill contains the broad strokes, there are dozens of other bills in the House and Senate that represent the competing interests of lobbyists supporting utilities, developers, builders, environmentalists, biofuel backers and renewable energy investors. Some of those bills could merge into a broad energy package as the session wears on.

- Asjylyn Loder, Times staff writer