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Senator Saunders moved the following amendment:

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     Senate Amendment

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     Delete line(s) 6201-6281

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and insert:

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     Section 108.  Section 1004.648, Florida Statutes, is created

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to read:

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     1004.648 Florida Energy Systems Consortium.--

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     (1) There is created the Florida Energy Systems Consortium

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to promote collaboration among experts in the State University

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System for the purposes of sharing energy-related expertise and

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assisting in the development and implementation of a

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comprehensive, long-term, environmentally compatible,

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sustainable, and efficient energy strategic plan for the state.

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     (2) The consortium shall focus on the research and

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development of innovative energy systems that will lead to

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alternative energy strategies, improved energy efficiencies, and

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expanded economic development for the state.

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     (3) The consortium shall consist of the state universities

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as identified under s. 1000.21(6).

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     (4) The consortium shall be administered at the University

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of Florida by a director who shall be appointed by the President

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of the University of Florida.

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     (5) The director, whose office shall be located at the

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University of Florida, shall report to the Florida Energy and

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Climate Commission created pursuant to s. 377.6015.

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     (6) The oversight board shall consist of the Vice President

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for Research or other appropriate representative appointed by the

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university president of each member of the consortium.

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     (7) The oversight board shall be responsible for the

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technical performance and financial management of the consortium.

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     (8) In performing its responsibilities, the consortium

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shall collaborate with the oversight board and may also

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collaborate with industry and other affected parties.

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     (9) Through collaborative research and development across

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the State University System and the industry, the goal of the

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consortium is to become a world leader in energy research,

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education, technology, and energy systems analysis. In so doing,

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the consortium shall:

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     (a) Coordinate and initiate increased collaborative

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interdisciplinary energy research among the universities and the

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energy industry.

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     (b) Assist in the creation and development of a Florida-

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based energy technology industry through efforts that would

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expedite commercialization of innovative energy technologies by

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taking advantage of the energy expertise within the State

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University System, high-technology incubators, industrial parks,

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and industry-driven research centers.

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     (c) Provide a state resource for objective energy systems

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analysis.

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     (d) Develop education and outreach programs to prepare a

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qualified energy workforce and informed public. Specifically, the

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faculty associated with the consortium shall coordinate a

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statewide workforce development initiative focusing on college-

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level degrees, technician training, and public and commercial

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sectors awareness. The consortium shall develop specific programs

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targeted at preparing graduates who have a background in energy,

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continuing education courses for technical and nontechnical

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professionals, and modules, laboratories, and courses to be

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shared among the universities. Additionally, the consortium shall

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work with the Florida Community College System using the Florida

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Advanced Technological Education Center for the coordination and

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design of industry-specific training programs for technicians.

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     (10) The consortium shall solicit and leverage state,

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federal, and private funds for the purpose of conducting

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education, research, and development in the area of sustainable

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energy.

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     (11) The oversight board, in consultation with the Florida

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Energy and Climate Commission, shall ensure that the consortium:

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     (a) Maintains accurate records of any funds received by the

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consortium.

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     (b) Meets financial and technical performance expectations,

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which may include external technical reviews as required.

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     (12) The steering committee shall consist of the university

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representatives included in the Centers of Excellence proposals

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for the Florida Energy Systems Consortium and the Center of

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Excellence in Ocean Energy Technology-Phase II which were

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reviewed during the 2007-2008 fiscal year by the Florida

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Technology, Research, and Scholarship Board created in s.

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1004.226(4); a university representative appointed by the

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President of Florida International University; and the Florida

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Energy and Climate Commission. The steering committee shall be

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responsible for establishing and ensuring the success of the

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consortium's mission under subsection (9).

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     (13) By November 1 of each year, the consortium shall

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submit an annual report to the Governor, the President of the

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Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the

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Florida Energy and Climate Commission regarding its activities,

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including, but not limited to, education and research related to,

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and the development and deployment of, alternative energy

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technologies.

4/29/2008  6:53:00 PM     EP.37.08986