Florida
State Scorecard Rank
29
Florida
10.0Scored out of 50Updated 12/2022
State Government
Score: 2 out of 4.5
State Government Summary List All
Florida offers a grant and a rebate program for energy efficiency investments. The state government leads by example by requiring energy-efficient fleets and encouraging the use of energy service performance contracts for public buildings. Research and development focused on energy efficiency is conducted at several universities in the state.
Financial Incentives List All
The state of Florida offers the following financial incentives to encourage energy efficiency improvements:
- Efficiency and Renewable Improvements in Commercial Aquaculture (ERICA): Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services developed the ERICA program to increase energy efficiency, reduce energy usage, and lower operating costs at commercial aquaculture facilities in Florida. This grant program is designed to provide grant reimbursement for technologies that significantly increase energy efficiency and renewable energy for eligible commercial aquaculture facilities and farms located in Florida.
Further financial incentive information can be found in the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE Florida). In addition to these state-funded incentives, Florida has enabled commercial and residential Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing and has several active programs. For additional information on PACE, visit PACENation.
Last Updated: June 2022
Equity Metrics and Workforce DevelopmentList All
The FDACS Office of Energy released the Florida Energy and Climate Plan, which provides realistic steps and strategies for Florida to secure clean, affordable energy while creating new opportunities for Florida’s economy and addressing the growing crisis of climate change. Included in the Florida Energy and Climate Plan is a chapter on Decreasing the Energy Burden for Low Income Communities. The chapter discusses the disparities between low-income households and higher-earning individuals and stresses the importance of investing in energy efficiency upgrades for low-income residents, which benefit all Florida's energy consumers. The FDACS Office of Energy is also developing a comprehensive statewide study that investigates the distribution of benefits and burdens from energy production and consumption and the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on vulnerable populations. This study will provide much needed information on the current status of energy equity within Florida, which has yet to be evaluated.
The FDACS Office of Energy is looking at how to incorporate equity in as many programs as possible. For example, the Florida Wastewater Treatment Plant Energy Program was developed to advance the energy-water nexus. In addition to reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, the FDACS Office of Energy is continuing its efforts to achieve energy equity by investing in projects that aim to reduce energy burden for Florida consumers. The Florida Wastewater Treatment Plant Energy Program considered factors that reduce the total energy consumption but also the costs of wastewater treatment.
Workforce Development
The FDACS Office of Energy promotes workforce development at all stages of learning. Currently, the FDACS Office of Energy supports K-12 education in clean energy by providing Energy Education Kits to schools that are designed to develop teamwork and problem-solving abilities, investigate environmental issues and gain hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills. The FDACS Office of Energy works with the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) to support their EnergyWhiz Events which occurs every year in May and regularly attracts over 1,000 students, parents, and volunteers. The FDACS Office of Energy assists with event judging and provides event sponsorship. Another organization supported by the FDCAS Office of Energy that has its second annual events this summer is the American Association of Blacks in Energy that holds the Youth Energy Academy. It is a virtual two-day event in four regions throughout Florida for career exploration through interactive hands-on activities and engaging discussions designed to expose young people to careers in electric utility industries and related fields.
Last Updated: July 2021
Carbon Pricing PoliciesList All
The State of Florida does not yet have carbon pricing policies in place.
Per EO 07-127 and EO 07-128, Florida does have a statewide emissions reduction goal in place, specifically to reduce emissions 80% by 2050 (baseline year 1990).
Last Updated: September 2022
Building Energy Disclosure List All
The Building Energy-Efficiency Rating System established in ss.553.990-998, F.S., provides that prospective purchasers of real property shall be provided with a copy of an information brochure, at the time of or prior to the purchaser’s execution of the contract for sale and purchase, notifying the purchaser of the option for an energy-efficiency rating on the building.
Last Reviewed: June 2022
Public Building Requirements List All
The 2006 Florida Energy Plan calls for all new state government buildings to meet LEED standards and for a reduction of energy consumption in state facilities by 25% from 2002 levels by 2007. It is unclear if a post-2007 energy savings target is in place for new and existing state buildings. Green building requirements have been expanded several times since then. Executive Order 07-126 directs the Florida Department of Management Services to set Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building standards for the state's new and existing state-owned buildings. In 2008, Florida Governor Charlie Crist approved House Bill 7135, which requires newly constructed or renovated buildings financed by the state to be designed and built to meet a nationally recognized sustainable building rating or national model green building code. Eligible rating systems include those established by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, the International Green Construction Code (IGCC), the Green Building Initiative’s Green Globes rating system, the Florida Green Building Coalition standards, or a nationally recognized, high-performance green building rating system as approved by the department. State agencies also must lease ENERGY STAR-rated buildings and employ energy saving performance contracts to upgrade existing facilities.
In 2008, the Florida Legislature passed the Florida Energy Conservation and Sustainable Buildings Act, directing state agencies to incorporate sustainable building practices into the design, construction, and renovation of state buildings. Through this act, the Florida Department of Management Services (FDMS) developed the Florida Life-Cycle Cost Analysis Program (Chapter 60D-4, Florida Administrative Code), which pertains to the evaluation of life-cycle energy performance for alternative building designs. Additionally, FDMS developed the State Energy Management Plan (SEMP), which is a comprehensive plan to help state agencies reduce energy consumption and costs. The SEMP includes the following: data-gathering requirements, building energy audit procedures, uniform data analysis procedures, employee education program measures, energy consumption reduction techniques, training for agency energy management coordinators, guidelines for building managers, and measures to reduce energy consumption in the area of transportation.
In 2012, House Bill 7117 passed modifying Florida Statutes Section 255.257 that included the reporting requirements on energy use by each building owned or leased for state business 5,000 square feet or more. The statute requires that agencies collect energy usage and cost data, but does not specify a tracking tool.
All State government-owned buildings larger than 5,000 square feet with air conditioned space report their energy usage to DMS for benchmarking, and this data is reported annually in the State Energy Management Plan Annual Summary Report. The State of Florida is comprised of 21 state agencies, 20 of which own facilities encompassing approximately 44 million gross square feet of space. The combined Annual Energy Consumpption is approximately 3.6 billion kBTU (thousand British thermal units), at a combined annual cost of approximately $111 million. Current benchmarking reports are found on Florida Department of Management Services website.
All new construction and renovation of State buildings must follow the guidelines of LEED or other green building rating systems, including the International Green Construction Code, Green Globes and the Florida Green Building Coalition standards. The same is required of the following public entities in the State of Florida entering design after July 1, 2008: counties, municipalities, school districts, water management districts, state universities, community colleges, and Florida state courts. All new leases of state-occupied office space must meet Energy Star requirements. (Sections 255.253, and 255.257, F.S.).
Last Updated: June 2022
Fleets List All
Executive Order 07-126 requires the Department of Management Services to only approve the purchase of new vehicles with the greatest fuel efficiency in a given class, as required for that vehicle to minimize emissions of greenhouse gases.
In accordance with S. 286.29(3), F.S., each state agency ensures that all maintained vehicles meet minimum maintenance schedules shown to reduce fuel consumption, which include ensuring appropriate tire pressures and tread depth; replacing fuel filters and emission filters at recommended intervals; using proper motor oils; and performing timely motor maintenance. Also, in accordance with S. 286.29(4), F.S., when procuring new vehicles, all state agencies, state universities, community colleges, and local governments that purchase vehicles under a state purchasing plan must be selected for the greatest fuel efficiency available for a given use class when fuel economy data are available. (Reference: Section 286.29 Florida Statute).
Last Reviewed: June 2022
Energy Savings Performance Contracting List All
ESPCs are promoted and coordinated by the Department of Management Services and the Department of Financial Services. The state provides a manual that offers both a step-by-step description of the process and a sample of many associated documents to help streamline the process. The Department of Financial Services provides model contracts and financing agreements.
Last Reviewed: July 2020
Research & Development List All
The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficient Technologies (REET) Grant Program was a competitive grant program designed to provide funding to conduct demonstration, commercialization, research and development projects relating to renewable energy technologies and innovative technologies that significantly increase energy efficiency for vehicles and commercial buildings. The application submission period for this program is closed. Currently, there are three grant recipients performing research with REET funds:
- University of South Florida: “Large-Scale Development of an Innovative Algae Technology as a Sustainable Source of Renewable Energy and Products to Enhance and Diversity Florida's Economy” — Grant Funds $250,000.
- University of Florida: “A Versatile Photovoltaic Window Technology for Building Integrated Photovoltaic Applications” — Grant Funds $399,919
- T2C Energy LLC: “Catalytic Conversion of AD Biogas and Landfill Gas into Drop-in Fuel” — Partial Grant Funding $123,967
There are several research centers in Florida as well:
• The University of Central Florida’s Florida Solar Energy Center's (FSEC) research projects include: industrialized housing; zero net-energy buildings; fenestration; energy efficient schools; green standards; ceiling fans; electric vehicles; polymer electrolyte fuel cells; hydrogen production and storage; and distributed renewable energy systems integration (stationary and V2G). FSEC has a 20-acre campus on the Space Coast, and receives funding from government research grants and UCF.
• The Energy and Sustainability Center (ESC) at Florida State University addresses challenging alternative energy issues through innovative solutions for consumers and industry. ESC’s Off-Grid Zero Emission Building project created an energy-efficient mold for alternative energy technologies in both residential and commercial buildings. Other energy efficiency research has focused on both PEM fuel cells and water electrolysis. ESC receives funding from the University.
• Clean Energy Research Center (CERC) at University of South Florida pursues research and development of environmentally clean energy systems, such as photovoltaics (PV), concentrating solar power (CSP), energy storage (thermal storage, batteries, supercapacitors), photocatalytic detoxification/disinfection technologies, hydrogen production and solid state storage, new efficient thermodynamic cycles, solar energy conversion/rectifying antenna (rectenna), and biomass conversion/biofuels.
• The Florida Energy Systems Consortium (FESC) was created in 2008 by Florida statute to promote collaboration among the energy experts at Florida’s 12 public universities and to connect Florida industry with university research expertise and facilities. FESC members develop innovative energy systems that lead to alternative energy strategies, improved energy efficiencies, and enhanced economic development. The major programs within the consortium are energy research, technology transfer/commercialization, education, and outreach.
Last Reviewed: July 2019
Buildings
Score: 2.5 out of 12
Buildings Summary List All
Effective December 31, 2020, Florida law requires that residential and commercial buildings comply with the 7th Edition (2020) Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation. The consists of the foundation code 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and amendments. Compliance with the code is mandatory for all new construction including alteration to existing buildings.
Residential Codes List All
The Florida Building Code is the statewide building code for all construction in the state. Every local government must enforce the Building Code and issue building permits. The Florida Building Code 7th Edition took effect Dec. 31, 2020, replacing the Florida Building Code 6th Edition. While the Florida Building Code 6th Edition was based off of the 2015 International Building Code, the Florida Building Code 7th Edition is based off of the 2018 International Building Code. Compliance with the code is mandatory for all new construction including residential buildings.
Last Reviewed: June 2022
Commercial Code List All
The Building Code is the statewide building code for all construction in the state. Every local government must enforce the Building Code and issue building permits. The Florida Building Code 7th Edition took effect Dec. 31, 2020, replacing the Florida Building Code 6th Edition. While the Florida Building Code 6th Edition was based off of the 2015 International Building Code, the Florida Building Code 7th Edition is based off of the 2018 International Building Code. Compliance with the code is mandatory for all new construction including commercial buildings.
Studies have demonstrated that deviations of the 2020 FEC from the ASHRAE 90.1-2016 Standard are small, can be considered within the margin of error, and may be considered equivalent to the original ASHRAE 90.1-2016 (link).
Last Reviewed: June 2022
Compliance List All
- Baseline & Updated Compliance Studies: The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) completed a quantitative and economic analysis of the 7th Edition (2020) Florida Building Energy Code (FEC), which was submitted to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation in May 2019. The 7th Edition (2020) FEC provides two performance compliance options – one IECC 2018 based and other ASHRAE 90.1-2016 based. The study concluded that "the 2020 FEC overall, for all practical purposes, may be considered equivalent to the original ASHRAE 90.1-2016." Additionally, in March 2021, the FSEC published a report called "Relative International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) Energy Impacts By Compliance Path" (Link)
- Utility Involvement: Regulatory guidelines have been established requiring significant utility involvement in supporting building energy code compliance. The Florida Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (FEECA), enacted in 1980, emphasizes reducing the growth rates of weather-sensitive peak demand, reducing, and controlling the growth rates of electricity consumption, and reducing the consumption of scarce resources, such as petroleum fuels. During the 2008 legislative session, the Legislature amended FEECA to place greater emphasis on the pursuit, through utility-sponsored incentives, of all cost-effective customer conservation and energy efficiency measures including demand-side renewable energy systems. Under FEECA, the Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC) must establish numeric conservation goals for each FEECA utility, at least every five years.
- Stakeholder Advisory Group: The Energy Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) reviews any proposed energy code modifications and reports their findings to the Florida Building Commission, a 27-member board composed of industry professionals appointed by the governor. All FBC meetings are public and open. The various Florida Building Commission Technical Advisory Committees (TACs) meet as needed. In 2018, the Energy TAC met nine times. The agendas and minutes to those meetings can be found here.
- Training/Outreach: On-site training and webinars have been performed by Building A Safer Florida (BASF), Building Official Association of Florida, private entities, and the Codes and Standards Office of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The Florida Building Commission's (FBC) has statewide training requirements. The Education Program Oversite Committee (POC) establishes curriculums and trains/certifies trainers. Additional energy code technical research is conducted on an ongoing basis for the FBC review. These reports provide the FBC with recommendations on best practices and technical evaluations for Florida-specific issues such as ventilation, air tightness testing. Links to this research are provided below:
- Technical Research FY 2015-2016
FSEC Building Efficiency Research Report Index
Last Reviewed: June 2022
Important Links List All
- Florida Energy Clearinghouse
- State Code Adoption
- EERE Building Energy Codes Program
- Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Building Code Information System
- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Office of Energy
- Florida Building Commission Training Education and Accreditation
- Building Codes and Standards Program Oversight Committee
CHP
CHP Summary List All
The state has an incentive program for CHP projects, but otherwise has limited policies to encourage CHP development. One new CHP system was installed in 2018.
Interconnection StandardsList All
Policy: Florida Public Service Commission Rule 25-6.065
Description: The Florida Public Service Commission adopted its interconnection standard in March 2008. The standards, which apply to distributed generation systems up to 2MW in size, delineate three separate tiers of interconnection based upon system size. The interconnection rule applies only to generation using renewable fuels, but includes waste heat in its definition of “renewable energy.” Some CHP systems may be interpreted as using “waste heat” as a primary fuel, but there is no wording that clearly defines CHP as eligible for interconnection using this standard.
Last Reviewed: July 2019
Encouraging CHP as a ResourceList All
There are currently no state policies designed to acquire energy savings from CHP (like other efficiency resources) or energy generation from CHP (in terms of kWh production) that apply to all forms of CHP.
Last Reviewed: July 2019
Deployment IncentivesList All
Incentives, grants, or financing: CHP systems are eligible for the state’s Solar and CHP Sales Tax Incentive (Fla. Stat. § 212.08). CHP systems that are sold and used in Florida in facilities that primarily manufacture, process, compound or produce “for sale items of tangible personal property” are exempt from Florida’s Sales and Use Tax.
Net metering: Florida’s Public Service Commission (PSC) adopted rules for net-metering for renewable-energy systems up to 2 MW in capacity in March 2008. CHP is eligible to net meter, as it meets the Florida statutory (Section 377.803) definition of "renewable energy."
Last Reviewed: July 2019
Additional Supportive PoliciesList All
There are currently no additional supportive policies to encourage CHP.
Last Updated: July 2018
Utilities
Score: 0.5 out of 15
Utilities Summary List All
The Florida Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (FEECA) (366.82(1)(a), Florida Statutes) applies to all investor-owned electric utilities, plus electric municipal utilities and cooperatives whose 1993 annual sales to end-use customers is equal to or exceeded 2,000 GWh. It also applies to natural gas utilities whose annual sales volume is equal to or exceeds 100 million therms. This act requires each utility to implement cost-effective energy-efficiency programs and to conduct energy audits. It also includes improving the efficiency of generation, transmission and distribution systems.
FEECA also established the authority for the Florida Public Service Commission to set targets for energy and peak demand savings and to require each affected utility to develop and implement energy efficiency programs.The Public Service Commission must revisit the goals at least every five years, and did so in 2019. By Order No. PSC-2019-0509-FOF-EG, the Commission declined to set new goals, voting to continue (through 2024) the goals that were approved in Order No. PSC-2014-0696-FOF-EG
The Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC) reviews and approves utilities’ energy efficiency plans. According to FEECA, the FPSC may allow investor-owned utilities to earn an additional return on equity of up to 50 basis points for saving 20 percent or more of their annual load-growth via energy efficiency. No utilities have yet requested the additional return. The FPSC may also assess penalties if utilities do not meet the goals.
The most recent budgets for energy efficiency programs and electricity and natural gas savings can be found in the State Spending and Savings Tables.
Last reviewed: June 2020
Customer Energy Efficiency Programs List All
The Florida Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (FEECA -- Sections 366.80-85 and 403.519 of the Florida Statutes) established the authority for the Florida Public Service Commission to set targets for energy and peak demand savings and to require each affected utility to develop and implement energy efficiency programs. The Public Service Commission must revisit the goals at least every five years, and did so in 2019. By Order No. PSC-2019-0509-FOF-EG, the Commission declined to set new goals, voting to continue (through 2024) the goals that were approved in Order No. PSC-2014-0696-FOF-EG. In June and August 2020, the Commission approved the DSM Plans that the IOUs submitted in order to achieve the approved goals.
The most recent budgets for energy efficiency programs and electricity and natural gas savings can be found in the State Spending and Savings Tables.
Last reviewed: July 2022
Energy Efficiency as a Resource List All
In December 2006, the FPSC endorsed the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency, which recommends making energy efficiency a high-priority resource.
Florida does not have an integrated resource planning (IRP) statute or rule, but it does have a filing requirement for long-term energy plans.
FEECA utilities are required to provide the Commission with a demand-side management status update on an annual basis. The Commission uses this information within its annual FEECA report to the governor and legislature.
For more information on energy efficiency as a resource, click here.
Last reviewed: July 2022
Energy Efficiency Resource Standards List All
Florida does not have an EERS.
The Florida Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (FEECA -- Sections 366.80-85 and 403.519 of the Florida Statutes) established the authority for the Florida Public Service Commission to set targets for energy and peak demand savings and to require each affected utility to develop and implement energy efficiency programs. The Public Service Commission must revisit the goals at least every five years. Specific energy and peak demand savings goals were set for each of the seven "FEECA utilities" in 2014 for 2015 through 2024. These goals are lower than those approved by the Commission in 2009. The Commission identified fewer programs as cost effective due to more stringent building codes and appliance efficiency standards, as well as lower avoided costs resulting from lower natural gas prices
In 2019, the Commission adopted the same goals approved by the Commission in 2014. The most recent status of Florida's Energy Efficiency and Conservation efforts for utilities under the Commission's oversight can be found in the Commission's November 2021 FEECA Report. A comprehensive description of the goal-setting process and methodology can be found in Order No. PSC-14-0696-FOF-EU.
Last reviewed: July 2022
Utility Business Model List All
Florida does not have decoupling or lost revenue adjustment mechanisms in place for electric or natural gas utilities. HB 7135 instructed the Public Service Commission to analyze utility revenue decoupling and provide a report and recommendations to the governor and the legislature in December 2008. In 2008, the FPSC decided that existing annual cost recovery clauses made it unnecessary to introduce decoupling, though gas utilities could still request decoupling in a rate case. In 2009 the FPSC concluded that utilities may request an increase in rates in order to maintain a reasonable rate of return when efficiency programs reduce revenues, but none have been authorized (See Final Order PSC-09-0855-FOF-EG).
Sections 366.82(8) and (9) of Florida Statute authorize the commission to provide financial rewards and penalties and to allow gas and electric investor-owned utility to earn an additional return on equity for exceeding energy efficiency and conservation goals. Specifically the FPSC may allow utilities to earn an additional return on equity of up to 50 basis points for exceeding 20% of their annual load-growth through energy efficiency measures. The FPSC may also assess penalties if utilities do not meet the goals. No utilities have yet requested the additional return.
Last reviewed: July 2022
Evaluation, Measurement, & Verification List All
- Primary cost-effectiveness test(s) used: ratepayer impact measure test
- Secondary cost-effectiveness test(s) used: total resource cost test, participant cost test
The evaluation of ratepayer-funded energy efficiency programs in Florida relies on both legislative mandates (Florida Statutes Sections 366.82(10) and 377.703(2)(f) and regulatory orders (Rule 25-17.0021). Evaluations are administered by each utility. Florida has established formal rules and procedures for evaluation, which are stated in Rule 25-17.0021.
According to the Database of State Efficiency Screening Practices (DSESP), Florida specifies a Ratepayer Impact Measure test (RIM) to be its primary cost effectiveness test for decision making. In addition, Florida uses the Total Resource Cost test (TRC) and Participant Cost Test (PCT) in a secondary capacity, and uses three of the five classic benefit-cost tests identified in the California Standard Practice Manual. These are the Total Resource Cost (TRC), Participant Cost Test (PCT), and Ratepayer Impact Measure (RIM). Cost-effectiveness testing is further limited by a rule that eliminates any measure with a payback less than 2 years. The rules for benefit-cost tests are stated in Rule 25-17.008. These benefit-cost tests are required for total program level screening with exceptions for some low-income programs.
Further information on cost-effectiveness screening practices for Florida is available in the Database of State Efficiency Screening Practices (DSESP), a resource of the National Efficiency Screening Project (NESP).
Last Updated: January 2020
Guidelines for Low-Income Energy Efficiency Programs List All
Requirements for State and Utility Support of Low-Income Energy Efficiency Programs
By Order No. PSC-14-0696-FOF-EU, the Commission directed the FEECA utilities to educate low-income customers on energy efficiency opportunities. The Florida Public Service Commission is not aware of legislation or regulations requiring specific levels of utility spending or savings related to low-income energy efficiency programs. The above-referenced Order requires each utility to assist and educate low-income customers, specifically with respect to measures that have less than a two-year payback. In 2019, by Order No. PSC-2019-0509-FOF-EG, the Commission affirmed the support originally expressed in the prior order. The DSM Plans offered since the 2014 and 2019 Orders were issued (in 2015 and 2020) provide each company's plan to educate low-income customers on energy efficiency and conservation.
The Commission has adopted specific goals to track and/or evaluate energy efficiency for business and residential customer classes, but none that are prescriptively identified as for low-income and marginalized communities. In annual reports, the FEECA utilities provide data on participation levels and program costs for all programs, in addition to goal achievement information. The annual reports are available here.
Cost-Effectiveness Rules for Low-Income Energy Efficiency Programs
Program-level cost-effectiveness tests are applied to all programs, including low-income energy efficiency programs.
Coordination of Ratepayer-Funded Low-Income Programs with WAP Services
Section 5.2 of the Annual Report on Activities Pursuant to the Florida Energy Efficiency & Conservation Act (FEECA), lists the state agencies and organizations in Florida that assist and educate consumers on energy conservation. In addition to the Florida Public Service Commission, website information is provided for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, The Office of Energy, the Florida Solar Energy Center, as well as information for Florida Weatherization Assistance and Florida's Local Weatherization Agencies List.
Last reviewed: July 2022
Self Direct and Opt-Out Programs List All
Florida does not allow for large customers to self-direct the funds they would have paid for energy efficiency, nor to opt-out entirely from participating in energy efficiency programs.
Last updated: June 2020
Data AccessList All
There is no policy in place that requires utilities to release energy use data to customers or third parties. The Commission's website includes reports and publications created by technical staff that provide energy use and consumption data for the state and its utilities.
Last reviewed: July 2019
Transportation
Score: 5 out of 13
Transportation Summary List All
The state has a dedicated revenue stream for transportation projects, and has policies to promote the integration of transportation and land-use planning.
Transportation System Efficiency List All
Transportation and Land use Integration: Enacted during the 2019 Legislative Session, the Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance (M-CORES) Program is designed to advance the construction of regional corridors that will accommodate multiple modes of transportation and multiple types of infrastructure. The specific purpose of the program is to revitalize rural communities, encourage job creation in those communities, and provide regional connectivity while leveraging technology, enhancing the quality of life and public safety, and protecting the environment and natural resources.
VMT Targets: No policy in place or proposed.
FAST Freight Plans and Goals: Florida has a state freight plan that identifies a multimodal freight network, but it does not include freight energy or greenhouse gas reduction goals.
The Strategic Intermodal System (SIS) Policy Plan- is a statewide system of the highest priority transportation hubs, corridors, and connectors with a focus on moving people and freight between Florida and other states and nations and between regions within Florida. Reference: Section 339.61(2), Florida Statutes provides that it is the intent of the Legislature that the Strategic Intermodal System consist of transportation facilities and services that meet a strategic and essential state interest and that limited resources available for the implementation of statewide and interregional transportation priorities be focused on that system.
Last Reviewed: November 2022
Transit Funding List All
The state recently adopted transit finance legislation. House Bill 1271 allows municipalities in Florida with a regional transportation system to levy a tax, subject to voter approval, that can be used as a funding stream for transit development and maintenance.
Last Reviewed: November 2022
Incentives for High-Efficiency Vehicles List All
No policy in place or proposed.
Last Reviewed: November 2022
Equitable Access to TransportationList All
Public transit access
Florida incentivizes the creation of low-income housing near transit facilities, and it considers the proximity of transit facilities when distributing federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits to qualifying property owners.
The Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) administers the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) and the State Apartment Incentive Loan (SAIL) programs, and awards points for proposed low-income housing projects based on proximity to transit facilities. To encourage development closer to public transportation in all areas of a community, FHFC awards points to proposed developments in closer proximity to rail stations, bus rapid transit stops and bus stops.
Both the EV Roadmap and the EVMP identify transit as playing a large role in implementation of EVs. The EVMP recommends a target of a minimum of 25% EV Fleet purchase for municipal vehicles by 2025 and EV transit and school bus fleet purchase by 2030.
Equity in transportation electrification
Florida's Office of Energy, in coordination with other state agencies and stakeholders, developed the EV Roadmap. The EV Roadmap highlights the disproportionate health and environmental impacts that burden rural and low income communities. To that end, the report suggests that these communities should be the first to receive investment for technologies and infrastructure needs to help mitigate changing climates and provide a more equitable distribution of EVs in Florida.
Florida's DOT, in coordination with OOE and other stakeholders, drafted the EV Master Plan (EVMP). The EVMP identifies gaps in EV infrastructure in rural and low income areas as one of the main barriers to implementation. In the geospatial gap analysis done by FDOT, greatest weight was assigned to areas that represent the lowest 20% of income. Additionally, one of the strategies includes potentially providing a rebate for used EVs to introduce more EVs to the market to those with lower incomes.
Last Reviewed: November 2022