State Energy Plan Public Input Workshop.

Energy Editors/Business Editors

HOLLYWOOD, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 13, 2003

The Florida Energy Office (FEO) is developing an energy plan for the state and is seeking public involvement in the process.

The future economic vitality and well being of Southeast Floridians depend on a well thought-out and all-inclusive renewable/non-renewable energy sources, and conservation energy plan for Florida. Continued population growth, demand for housing, jobs and schools, health care, and transportation in Southeast Florida will inevitably lead to higher energy demand. The availability of energy resources, their cost and reliability continue to be a challenge as Floridians look to the future. The Plan will contain goals, objectives and a course of action for addressing energy needs and opportunities. It will also serve as a tool for implementing the state's energy policies.

"Energy choices are an everyday part of our residents and visitors' lives," said Alexander Mack, Director of the Florida Energy Office. "Homeowners, business managers, government officials and others make decisions daily on purchases, transportation, utility and other uses that determine how much energy Florida consumes each day and its impacts." Energy decisions have an ongoing effect on the economy, environment and Florida's consumers.

The FEO is providing a number of ways for the public to become involved:

-- A Web site has been established to provide the public with

information about the Plan and the planning process at

http://consensus.fsu.edu/floridaenergyplan/index.html

-- An email address has been established where interested persons

may submit their ideas and suggestions to the Florida Energy

Office at [e-mail], or write to Florida

Energy Office, Department of Environmental Protection, 3900

Commonwealth Boulevard, MS-19, Tallahassee, Fl 32399-3000.

-- Businesses and organizations that have energy concerns will be

able to take part in a series of stakeholder forums.

-- Public workshops will be scheduled throughout the state to

gather additional public input.

The public workshops are being coordinated by Florida's 11 Regional Planning Councils (RPC). During the months of August and September, each RPC will host a workshop to allow their constituents to learn about the plan, and to express their interests in the various plan elements.

All input will be considered in the development of The Plan and the public will have an opportunity to review a draft of the plan online and to offer further suggestions. The planning process is scheduled for completion by early fall, 2003.

The next State Energy Plan Public Workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, August 27, 2003 at 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at the South Florida Regional Planning Council (SFRPC) offices at 3440 Hollywood Boulevard, Suite 140 in Hollywood, Florida. For further information about this workshop, please contact Carlos Andres Gonzalez of Council Staff at [phone] or via e-mail at [e-mail]. Directions to the SFRPC can be found at the Council's website http://www.sfrpc.com or contact us at [phone].