FL S1538

Establishes the Resilient Schools Pilot Program within the Department of Education beginning in the 2021-2022 school year to assist up to five school districts with assessments, procurement, and program design for resilience and energy security investments.

Authorizes public K-12 schools and local governmental authorities to contract with third parties for renewable energy devices on school property and permits those parties to sell generated electricity through power purchase agreements without being regulated as retail electric utilities.

Limits aggregate statewide capacity of power purchased through renewable energy financing agreements to 500 megawatts, with no more than 50 percent involving utilities and their affiliates as direct parties.

Allows the Public Service Commission to approve utility pilot programs offering schools renewable energy devices, energy storage, efficiency upgrades, microgrids, and net metering options, provided independent non-utility providers can compete to provide services.

Requires the Resilient Schools Pilot Program to collaborate with the Office of Energy, Department of Environmental Protection, and Division of Emergency Management to review revenues, identify program upgrades, and provide technical assistance to participating districts; pilot program expires June 30, 2024.