Energy was the topic at hand in Tallahassee as lawmakers, industry representatives and academic engineers discuss Florida's energy production.

The laws of thermodynamics may describe Florida's energy future.

Speakers during Wednesday's Capital Energy Forum and Sixth Annual Engineers Town Hall meeting stated the first law, where energy cannot be created or destroyed but simply transferred, is in reference to Florida purchasing a large amount of power from other states.

A six-person panel plucked from academia, the business community and the public service realm answered questions for nearly an hour on issues ranging from green jobs to which renewable technologies have the potential to power Florida well into the 21st century.

Barry Moline, executive director of the Florida Municipal Electric Association, reasoned that any energy harnessed in Florida means additional jobs that are developed here as opposed to another state.

Moline referred to a biomass plant that is being developed in the Gainesville area that is slated to produce nearly 500 jobs. Regardless of one's thoughts on biomass, he said few communities would turn down an opportunity to create that many jobs.

Tim Anderson, director of the Florida Energy Systems Consortium, said continued research is critical to Florida's development.

"Research provides workforce, it provides key breakthroughs that are needed and without (it) we can't sustain the economy," said Anderson. "The United States has grown to be an innovation-dependent economy."

Anderson, a professor and former associate dean of research and graduate programs for the University of Florida's College of Engineering, reinforced his point when he referred to a former student who graduated with a doctorate in 2001, started an energy company the following day and that company is now worth more than $400 million.

With wind, solar and biomass, the energy sources that some panelists believed may take an early foothold in the state's energy production, Tallahassee Mayor John Marks said Florida needs a statewide energy policy so municipalities have further direction about energy sources that are suitable to the state's energy goals.

"Everyone in this state must understand where were we can go, how we can get there and what we can do in the future," Marks said.