TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Suncoast Pasco News

Mariano To Advise Governor On Sustainable Energy

Carl Orth/SUNCOAST, 2007

Pasco County Commission Chairman Jack Mariano has been appointed to a governor's task force on a sustainable Florida.

ADVERTISEMENT

By Carl  Orth | The Suncoast News

Published: February 24, 2009

Updated:

NEW PORT RICHEY - Jack Mariano has a green thumb, but in this case it's for growing new concepts on sustainable sources of energy.

Mariano, the chairman of the Pasco County Commission, is brimming with ideas after recently being appointed by Gov. Charlie Crist to the Century Commission for a Sustainable Florida.

Eager to attend his first meeting next month, Mariano will serve through August 2009.

Created in 2005, the Century Commission tries to envision changes in Florida during the next 50 years.

"The more energy we can create, the less we have to import," Mariano said in a phone interview. "We can't just keep sending money overseas."

Mariano got noticed for helping to shape a proposed Pasco County ordinance on green building standards. The document is under review by the county's Land Development Stakeholder Committee at this time.

Good fortune could shine on the state if solar energy is promoted more, Mariano thinks.

"We're a fantastic area for that," Mariano said about panels that can convert sunlight into electricity.

Solar-powered water heaters are an excellent use of alternative energy, Mariano believes.

"I think if we do enough solar we can minimize the need for peak periods" of electric use, which require utilities to build more power plants, Mariano observed.

Even many electric utility executives can foresee more solar power use, Mariano said. It's a much greener method than, say, the tankless electric water heater for producing instant hot water, he noted.

Tankless heaters, which only consume energy when hot water is being used, would boost peak demand for electricity, Mariano argues.

With electric rates projected to increase in the next few decades, solar energy could be one means to help tame rate hikes.

One Suncoast company that produces solar panels is eyeing Pasco for relocation, Mariano said. Another company based in Odessa is exploring geothermal energy.

Other options are available, Mariano continued. For years electric companies have offered conservation programs to interrupt power to household appliances for short periods of time during off-peak hours, for instance.

Another piece of the puzzle for Florida's long-term needs might be insurance.

Mariano continues to push for a national or regional catastrophe fund to spread the risks from natural disasters over a wider pool of customers.

"That's going to take some progressive thinking," Mariano said about Florida's renewable needs in the future.

Carl Orth can be reached at 727-815-1068 or corth@suncoastnews.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT