TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Supreme Court rejected a request by solar advocates to invalidate a proposed constitutional amendment that's supported by power companies.
The court made its decision Friday, four days before the election and after 5.2 million votes had already been cast by mail and at early voting sites.
The challenge came after a leading proponent of Amendment 1 was recorded saying that the measure was written to appear pro-solar, even though it could end up restricting solar growth in Florida by raising costs.
Solar advocates asked the court Wednesday to revisit a previous ruling which found that was not misleading.
“We are disappointed by today’s decision from the Florida Supreme Court as we know Amendment 1 to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing," said Patrick Altier, president of the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association, backing the lawsuit. "We strongly believe the proposed ballot measure is deceptive, and call upon the citizens of Florida to vote no Amendment 1.”
Amendment 1 seeks to change the state constitution to say consumers shouldn't "subsidize" solar growth.