SEMINOLE – Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam will speak on diversifying Florida’s energy portfolio at the third and final installment of the Future of Energy series sponsored by the Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions at St. Petersburg College.
The forum is Wednesday, Aug. 22, 6:30 to 8 p.m., in the Digitorium at the St. Petersburg College Seminole campus, 9200 113th St. N. It is co-sponsored by the Tampa Bay Times, Covanta Energy, Clearwater Gas Systems and Nature’s Food Patch.
Putnam’s topic, “Increasing Diversity in Florida’s Energy Portfolio,” will focus on progress made in fulfilling a state energy policy goal of securing a stable, reliable and diverse energy supply for the state. He also is expected to discuss issues raised at the Florida Energy Summit, which is scheduled just a week before this forum, in Orlando.
As Commissioner of Agriculture, one of Putnam’s official duties is to foster innovation in energy development. His other responsibilities include providing an adequate and safe food and water supply, managing Florida’s forest resources, safeguarding consumers, and of course, promoting Florida agriculture.
One measure of progress on the energy policy front is legislation passed in the 2012 session of the Florida Legislature. Putnam has called that legislation “a modest step forward toward a smart, long-term energy policy.”
The bill, in which Putnam took a leadership role in securing passage, garnered bipartisan support from 156 members of the Legislature. Not only will it increase diversity in the state’s energy portfolio, it also will expand energy production and create much-needed jobs for Floridians, Putnam said.
Previous forums in the Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions’ series explored the future of nuclear energy (Part I) and the role of renewables, conservation and energy efficiency (Part II). The series highlights policy in order to help the community understand what is at stake for its energy future.
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