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The Newscaster/Nature Coast News

PAGE 11 - November 2, 2016

Explanation of Amendment 1,

My Opinion for the Times We're In

backed by utility companies

I find it interesting that for the last 20+ years we Americans have been frus-

trated with the fact that Washington is full of do nothing politicians who seem to only

Special to The Newscaster by Mary Perry

be interested in gaining power and lining their pockets. We cry out for an outsider,

On Nov. 8, Florida voters will have the opportunity to accept or reject the utility-

but all we get is politics as usual. Now we finally have a true outsider who has proven

backed ballot Amendment 1, titled "Rights of Electricity Consumers Regarding Solar En-

credentials of accomplishment in the real world where we live and yet many are afraid

ergy Source" which, if approved by 60% of the voting electorate, would add Section 29 to

of him and are willing to support the ultimate insider with proven credentials of deceit

Article X of the Florida Constitution.

(email scandals) and incompetence (Benghazi).

Amendment 1 was strongly OPPOSED by the environmentally backed Floridians

Here's why Trump can do what is needed. He owes no one and he is a doer.

for Solar Choice, an organization comprised of many citizens groups. Floridians for Solar

When he sees a problem, he does what he needs to do in order to fix it. He knows how

Choice filed a brief against Amendment 1 with the Florida Supreme Court on Jan. 11, 2016,

to bring top people together to find solutions and implement them. He may not have

claiming that the Consumers for Smart Solar's measure was misleading, that it promised so-

all the answers, but he knows who does and how to put together those teams in order

lar energy rights for voters that the state constitution already provided, and lured voters into

to accomplish the big goals. He didn't become a great businessman by doing all of the

thinking it will increase access to rooftop solar, when it would actually REDUCE SOLAR

work by himself, but by knowing how to delegate and to trust the right people to get the

OPTIONS. Oral arguments were heard on March 7, 2016. On March 31, 2016, the Supreme

job done.

Court, in a 4-3 decision, ruled that Amendment 1 was not misleading, and it was approved

We have a chance to vote for a man who says he will stand up for the life of

to remain on the Nov. 8, 2016 ballot.

the unborn and who will fight for and stand up for the 1st amendment right to worship

UTILITY COMPANIES SUPORT AMENDMENT 1: Consumers for Smart Solar

whatever faith one chooses without government interference. The other side offers a

is leading the campaign for Amendment 1. Most of the financial backing for this amendment

candidate with no respect for life in the womb and has supported measures of the ad-

has been provided by Florida's four major electric utility companies. As of Sept. 29, 2016,

ministration attempting to diminish the rights of Christians.

Consumers for Smart Solar had raised $21,523,917, and spent $18,017,613 for advertising

Trump may be rough around the edges.....but the alternative in Hillary, is to-

and public awareness of their cause. Of the $21,523,917 received, $17,000,000 was contrib-

tally unacceptable.....we will be on the road toward the Communist/Socialist republic

uted by Gulf Power, Duke Energy, Tampa Electric Company and Florida Power and Light.

she and Obama wish to turn this nation into. This is in line with her beliefs, formed

MEDIA AGAINST AMENDMENT 1: Bulletpedia has found no media editorials

early in life, after the example of her hero, Saul Alinsky.

in support of Amendment 1, but many editorials have been written in dissent of this amend-

Donald Trump is not going to save this nation--that is up to GOD...but we

ment. One such example is in the Orlando Sentinel, where Michael Joe Murphy argued that

can do our part by voting for the candidate who most closely fits our beliefs as Chris-

utilities probably wouldn't have funded the campaign for Amendment 1 if it were not de-

tians. Candidate Hillary Clinton who believes a child can be murdered even up to the

signed to help them maintain a monopoly on electricity production - and it does not belong

date of birth, is not fit to be President.

in the constitution. "Vote no," said Murphy who also stated, that due to the quickly evolving

Please vote on the 8th if you haven't already voted. A non vote or a vote for

solar technology and federal policies surrounding its use, the issue should be revisited when

anyone other than Trump is a vote for Clinton.

necessary through laws and regulations.

Paid Political Advertisement, Paid for by Bob Allen, Inglis

THOSE WHO OPPOSE Amendment 1 maintain that the wording of the Amend-

ment 1 is misleading, stating that since Floridians already have the right to own or lease

solar equipment installed on their property to generate electricity for their own use, it is not

Remembering

at Our Freedo m is no t Free

necessary to insert this right into the constitution

THE IMPORTANCE OF NET METERING: David Guest, managing attorney for

the Florida office of Earthjustice, cites a major fear of all who oppose Amendment 1, should

2016

it pass - the possibility that net metering could be eliminated. Net metering allows consum-

VETERANS Da

ers - who generate some or all of their own electricity - to use that electricity at any time, not

just when it is actually generated.

Ceremony

Florida adopted a net metering rule in 2008 that allows any electric utility customer

generating up to 2 megawatts (2,000 kilowatts) of power to use net metering, which is re-

November 5, 2016

quired by law in most states. It's a billing system where customers, who generate their own

10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

electricity, are able to SELL their EXCESS ELECTRICITY back to the grid. Many energy

experts support net metering. However, there is considerable debate as to the price at which

Yulee Drive, Homosassa, FL

excess power should be compensated.

(Across From Homosassa Elementary School)

PROPONENTS OF NET METERING cite that it promotes renewable energy and

*Road will be temporarily closed in front of the memorial

All traffic will be detoured from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

gives consumers incentive to produce their own electricity, a practice they believe is more

efficient. Consumers can save money by generating their own electricity, as opposed to buy-

ing it from a utility company, and because they can receive credit back on their electric bill

for the excess electricity they generate.

NET METERING PROPONENTS CHALLENGE the assertion, by Amendment

1 supporters, that utility customers who do not choose solar installations (voltaic panels)

subsidize those who do. Net metering proponents contend that passage of Amendment 1

could eventually lead to utilities charging solar customers fees for connecting to the grid and

having access to backup power. The practice of net metering is vital to the solar industry.

Because the word "subsidize" is not defined in Amendment 1, the potential for these fees

and possible discontinuation of net metering is real.

These are considerations that face Florida's electorate right now. Do we want to

hand over all decision-making authority pertaining to solar power use to our utilities? Can

Please co me and jo in us to pay tr

ute and ho no r

we be sure an electric utility industry that supports the 515-mile Sabal Trail Pipeline, or that

to o ur veterans.

makes its customers pay for a nuclear plant that isn't actually being built, would keep our

best interests, and the interests of the environment at the forefront of any rules and regula-

For futher information- call Mark Long 352-212-9359 or Shona Cook, 352-422-8092

tions they would impose on our state? For a more in depth look at the amendment visit our

Visit us o n Facebo o k at, Old Ho mo sassa Veteran's Memorial

website http://thenewscaster.com.

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