Senate committee passes Bennett's renewable's bill

With Gov. Charlie Crist sitting and waiting in the audience, the Senate Communications, Energy and Utilities Committee approved SB 1186 to expand renewable energy options and give the state's largest utilities the ability to charge customers, capped at no more than 2 percent in the first year, to pay for new solar energy plants.

The measure by Sen. Mike Bennett won approval by the committee with the exception of Sen. Mike Fasano, who objected because it will increase the cost to consumers.