Business Leaders Fighting for Jobs in Energy

Business leaders and researchers held an event in the Capitol on Monday to urge the Legislature to create more jobs in the energy industry.

The state of Florida has an opportunity and it comes only one time, said Lynda Weatherman, president and CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Floridas Space Coast. Comparing Floridas opportunity to Californias opportunity with high-tech jobs in Silicon Valley and Detroits with automobile manufacturing, she said, This is our chance.

Were losing that window to attract renewable energy jobs, Weatherman said.

Weatherman said Florida has opportunities in harnessing solar energy, gaining wind power through turbines and in biomass.

There is a bright future for job creation in the energy sector, said Beth Kirkland, executive director of the Economic Development Council of Tallahassee/Leon County.

While House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, R-Delray Beach, had to back out of the event due to a committee meeting, he voiced his support of Weathermans and Kirklands efforts in a statement.

We have an opportunity to diversify and expand Floridas energy economy, creating new jobs and leveraging emerging technologies not only for clean energy, but to help get our economy back on track, he said.

Weatherman said that one challenge facing increasing the number of jobs in Florida in energy is local demand. Noting that an airplane manufacturer had just moved to her area, Weatherman said that the planes did not rely on local consumers. She said that energy companies are different and will only move if there is strong local demand.

Weatherman said that other states, including Arizona, are seeing increased jobs with energy companies moving in. She said it is vital for Florida to become more competitive to lure energy jobs here.

We need to get clean-tech jobs to Florida, said Dave Cartes, director of the Florida State University Institute for Energy Systems, Economics and Sustainability.

Weatherman noted that the Space Coast has a number of highly skilled employees losing their jobs due to the Space Shuttle program being terminated. She said this population represents a strong base of workers for any energy companies looking to expand operations in Florida.

While the leaders did not endorse any specific legislation during the event, they said they hoped to focus the Legislatures attention on this opportunity.

Incoming Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, who like Hasner was detained by a committee meeting, entered the meeting just as it was breaking up. Were for this, he said, adding that he wanted to show his support for the leaders efforts.