Florida voters reject solar solar-energy ballot initiative

A controversial solar-energy ballot initiative fell short of the 60 percent voter approval it needed Tuesday, concluding for now one of the most-expensive constitutional amendment campaigns in Florida history. Opponents who argued the amendment would hinder the development of alternative energy in Florida, celebrated the defeat of the measure, known as Amendment One, as most counties continued posting results. Powered by the utility money, Consumers for Smart Solar spent over 25 million dollars to get the measure on the ballot and to advertise and campaign for the amendment, which it said would protect consumers. But critics contended the measure could lead to "discriminatory charges" against rooftop solar users, as the ballot language said that people who haven't installed solar on their property "are not required to subsidize the costs of backup power and electric grid access to those who do."