Rehwinkel Vasilinda Hopes Session Tackles Alternative Energy

While Gov. Charlie Crist said when he announced a special session of the Legislature that the only topic covered would be a proposed constitutional amendment against oil drilling in state waters, one House Democrat hopes to add other topics to the agenda. Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee -- who is under fire from primary rival former Leon County Democratic Party chairman Rick Minor for her votes on drilling -- is calling for renewing solar incentives and pushing alternative energies -- something she pushed for ina conference in Tallahassee last month.

We need to move our state forward in renewable energy, but just as important are the thousands of jobs that will be created to jump-start our lagging economy, said Rehwinkel Vasilinda. Reviving the rebate program will put out-of-work plumbers, electricians and others in the building trades back to work immediately.

As the Clean Energy Congress so aptly pointed out, we must end our dependence on dirty fossil fuels, says Rehwinkel Vasilinda. The Gulf of Mexico has been severely harmed by the ongoing oil leak. We must move quickly to protect the Gulf from future harm. But if all the Legislature does is make the public feel good, then we have not accomplished our mission to protect our state. Only through adopting significant policies to change our energy future can we truly make a difference for generations to come.

Minor said he was happy the session was being called. I applaud Governor Crist for calling a special session to ban oil drilling close to our shores, said Minor. I believe it only proper that Floridians have the opportunity to protect one of our most precious resources in our states Constitution. Our beaches are an integral part of our cultural heritage and economy. The Deepwater Horizon disaster will have a severe, long-term effect upon our state's economy, and it's a painful reminder that the promises "to be careful" were simply not enough. I only hope that those who supported drilling in the past take this opportunity to do the right thing.