FL H1487

Establishes the Resilient Schools Pilot Program within the Department of Education beginning in the 2021-2022 school year, selecting up to five school districts (two large, one medium-sized, and two small) to participate.

Directs the Department of Education to collaborate with the Office of Energy, Department of Environmental Protection, and Division of Emergency Management to assist participating districts in installing renewable energy source devices, energy storage devices, and energy efficiency devices to improve resilience and lower energy costs.

Authorizes participating schools and local government authorities to directly contract with electric utilities, solar contractors, or other third parties for renewable energy devices, with aggregate statewide financing agreements limited to 500 megawatts and no more than 50 percent involving utilities.

Specifies that power purchase agreements and financing arrangements for renewable energy devices are not retail sales of electricity and are exempt from Public Service Commission regulation under Chapter 366.

Requires the Department of Education to submit a report to the Governor and Legislature by July 1, 2022, with recommendations for converting the pilot program statewide; authorizes the Public Service Commission to approve utility pilot programs if they permit independent providers to compete.