ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Florida officials are looking at energy needs and conservation in the Sunshine State.
The state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is set to host academics, business leaders and energy company executives at a two-day energy summit beginning Monday in central Florida. Panels will discuss how Florida can boost its output of renewable energy to meet the state's growing needs. Officials will also examine how Florida's changing demographics affect energy usage and how the state is working to conserve water resources.
Florida is the nation's third-largest energy consumer. Much of the attention has been on natural gas.
In July, Spectra Energy Corp. and NextEra Energy Inc. announced a $3 billion plan to build a 465-mile pipeline. The project will bring natural gas from Alabama to Georgia and Florida.
