Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam welcomed more than 500 preregistered participants today to the inaugural Florida Energy Summit at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando. Attendees include entrepreneurs, scientists, landowners, lenders, government leaders and others with an interest in Florida’s emerging energy industry. Putnam joked that the Office of Energy (transferred this year by the Florida Legislature to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services) has been a red-headed stepchild, but is now in the hands of a new redhead. In his opening remarks, he said today marks a new chapter in Florida’s energy potential with a common sense of effort and drive, but cautioned that stakeholders will need to do a better job managing expectations and the hype surrounding Florida’s energy industry.