100 Innovative Ideas for Florida's Future, by Marco Rubio: on Energy & Oil

Marco Rubio: Tax incentives for energy-efficient appliances

A Cleaner, Safer, Healthier Florida
• Energy-Efficient Buildings Reward Program
• Implement a voluntary statewide incentive program for energy efficiency
• Create an Energy Efficiency Fund to offer loans to public schools, public hospitals, cities, counties, special districts, and public care institutions
• Provide tax incentives to encourage homeowners and businesses to purchase energy-efficient appliances and systems
• Build energy-efficient buildings
• Environmental "Gold Star" Recognition
• Create a performance-based permitting program that rewards top environmental performers
• Promote the Development of Alternative Energy Sources
• Foster the development and use of alternative energy sources and ethanol production
• Fuel-Efficient Vehicle Reward Program
• Offer additional incentives for clean alternative-fueled vehicles and hybrid passenger vehicles
• Convert state government vehicles into a high fuel efficiency fleet

Marco Rubio: Loans to public institutions for energy efficiency

Florida should implement a voluntary statewide incentive program for energy efficiency. Florida should explore incentives for homes that pledge to meet the FGBS or similar standards. Increasing the energy efficiency of new homes will save homeowners money and will reduce the need for costly new electric generating facilities.

Florida should create an Energy Efficiency Fund to offer loans to public schools, public hospitals, cities, counties, special districts, and public care institutions. Eligible projects are those with proven energy savings, such as lighting and HVAC efficiency improvements.

Marco Rubio: Florida has obvious advantages in solar energy

Solar energy & biofuels appear to be especially promising alternative energy sources for Florida. Florida has obvious advantages in the area of solar energy and is also pursuing the productio of ethanol. Recent scientific developments and expected future developments could greatly expand the types of feedstock available to produce ethanol at a lower cost than that of either corn or sugar. Thanks to past initiatives, Florida also appears to have achieved a leadership position in the development of hydrogen power. Clean, safe nuclear energy is another promising option to diversify Florida's energy portfolio. Other promising areas include waste-to-energy conversion and wind and water power.

Marco Rubio: Let hybrid drivers use HOV lanes & discount parking

Solution: Offer incentives to encourage purchases of hybrid vehicles.

Many states, Florida included, passed legislation to help consumers offset the initial price of purchasing a hybrid vehicle. And like other states, Florida currently offers hybrid vehicle owners a commuting advantage. Hybrid drivers are allowed to drive in the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane at any time, regardless of their vehicle occupancy.

Florida should offer free and/or discounted parking and free or reduced tolls on Florida's toll roads for high fuel efficiency vehicles. The idea would be fairly easy to implement--hybrid vehicle owners could simply obtain a special E-PASS allowing hybrid vehicles to pass through tolls at a free or discounted rate. Additionally, Florida should provide tax incentives for all clean alternative-fueled vehicles and hybrid passenger vehicles that get at least 40 miles per gallon on the highway.