Florida Renewable Energy Producers Association

The Florida Renewable Producers Association(FREPA) , founded with a cordarre of renewable energy executives led by Florida lobbyist, Michael Dobson of Dobson, Craig and Associates in January 2007, is a Florida not-for-profit that is a network of renewable energy project  developers, corporations, financial institutions, end users,  farmers and large land owners, utilities, manufacturers, service providers, construction professionals, academia, and governmental  leaders who are working to scale up renewable energy, to grow their local economy, and create jobs. Our industry stakeholders are involved in solar, wind, biomass, biofuel, energy efficiency, geothermal, hydroelectric , ocean/ wave energy, and energy storage. 

The 'Voice of Renewable Energy In Florida', the Florida Renewable Energy Producers Association (FREPA) was founded  in January 2007  as a statewide  not for profit industry trade association for renewable energy and energy efficiency that is not led by a specific technology, but by  the goal of combatting climate change and leveling the playing field  so that independent renewable energy power producers, new cleantech innovations, sustainable manufacturing, waste to energy production and processes,  and that energy efficiency product companies and processes are able to competitively engage the market place in the public and private sectors in Florida. Our focus include and is not limited to solar energy power production and equipment, and slolar parts  manufacturing; wind energy productuion and the manufacturing of turbines, blades, their motors and other peripherals; biofuels production to include the growing of energy feed stock, construction of facilities, growing the demand and improving the infrastructure; energy efficiency processes and equipment to include revolutionary HVAC systems, window treatments and materials, sustainability practices, and recycling that are closed circle  processes.  FREPA works with governmens to assist them at meetig their energy and sustainability goals, matching them with private partners and doing the heavy lifting regarding regulations. FREPAs voice comes from the fact that it has a strong presence in the capitols in Tallahassee  and in Washington, addressing the policy needs that will make the industry flourish and grow,  to have more competition and reduce regulations. Additionally, FREPA works to be a partner for Floridas utilities to find ways to put more energy generated from clean and  natural sources on their grids, delivering energy that is safe and reliable.     

FREPA MISSION STATEMENT 

  'The mission of the Florida Renewable Energy Producers Association (FREPA) is to advance the development and commercialization of sustainable clean and renewable energy. We advance that cause by supporting and advocating on the behalf of third party energy producers, otherwise large scale plants and local governmental entities focused on producing electric power and naturally produced alternative sustainable energy sources which consist of: energy efficiency, solar, biomass, waste to energy, hydoelectricity, ocean and wave energy, wind as well as clean energy used in transportation such as in electric vehicles. And, as key to our over arching goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, advance  efforts to grow  our biofuels industry, using the farm to fuel model,  so that we use more clean fuel.'        

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES 

Serve as a unified voice for Florida renewable energy producers, the anxillary businesses that provide or support the production and delivery of renewable or alternative energy sources to our communities,  and the overall  industry. The goal is to inform and advise policymakers on the broad-based environmental and economic benefits of  developing independant  renewable energy projects and avenues for alternative energy production in Florida.. to develop partnerships with public and investor owned  utilties, local government and businesses.    

• To promote the commercialization of renewable energy production, including reduction of petroleum dependency, greenhouse gas emissions, and air toxics; and enhancement of the States agricultural base, air and water quality, landfill diversion, forest health and wildfire protection, and economic development.

• Promote the development of a comprehensive renewable energy policy for the State of Florida that prioritizes growth in the renewable energy industry, and that furthers alternative energy research and development to meet policy objectives for energy security, pollution abatement, and rural economic development.

• hand in hand with Floridas investor owned utilities to help facilitate our mutual goals of developing more clean energy to be consumed by Florida families

• Facilitate a dialogue with the Legislature, and with relevant State agencies, including the Florida Public Service Commission, the Florida Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Environmental Protection to ensure a collaborative and coordinated approach to the accomplishment of State renewable energy policy objectives. 

• Promote the development and expansion of renewable power generation from agricultural, forestry, and urban biomass residues through expansion of the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), net-metering and distributed energy options, production incentives, and statutory/regulatory reforms that remove obstacles to the beneficial use of biogas and synthesis gas.

• Promote the development and expansion of Florida renewable fuels production from agricultural crops, bio-oils, forestry residues, urban waste residues, other cellulosic biomass, and waste through the establishment of a Florida Renewable Fuels Portfolio Standard (RPS), Florida greenhouse gas and climate change policy, financing and production incentives, performance-based regulatory standards, and the removal of statutory/regulatory impediments to renewable energy conversion such as biomass, bio fuels, solar, wind, water and viable technologies.

• Promote the development and expansion of biofuel manufacturing through the incorporation of biobased products into State and local procurement policies, and through State coordination with USDA and other federal agencies to integrate Florida agricultural crops, economic incentives, and product testing programs with biobased industries.

• Educate the public about the environmental and economic benefits of a strong renewable energy production industry, and pursue broad-based coalitions for accomplishment of the FREPA mission.