By Michael PeltierNews Service of FloridaFor a mere $15 million, Florida lawmakers can secure $300 million for the state’s Florida Forever program, a bargain even during cash-strapped times, the top contenders to replace Gov. Charlie Crist said Tuesday in a bit of campaign camaraderie.Funding for the state’s premiere land-buying program is not a partisan issue, at least in the upcoming governor’s
Wednesday, 28 October 2009
Monday, 26 October 2009
Cafe owner launches effort against offshore oil drilling
Posted on 15:59 by Unknown
By John KennedyThe News Service of FloridaA Panhandle restaurateur said today he wants thousands of Floridians to hit the beaches to fight offshore oil-drilling along the state’s Gulf coast.Dave Rauschkolb, owner of Bud and Alley’s and two other beachside restaurants in the town of Seaside, has launched an effort dubbed Hands Across the Sand, which is emerging as the first grassroots opposition
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
It's not the risk from oil drilling, it's the pipelines, DEP says
Posted on 16:14 by Unknown
In what the House council chairman said will be the first of several meetings on oil drilling, Florida's environmental chief today said drilling accidents pose a low risk to the state but he said other competing uses for state waters must be considered.The House Select Council on Strategic and Economic Planning heard more than 4-1/2 hours of testimony on oil drilling as the Legislature is
Tuesday, 20 October 2009
DEP's Sole says "lift the hood" on biomass projects
Posted on 07:03 by Unknown
The governor says they could provide renewable energy for Florida, but Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael Sole says biomass electric plants also are being viewed by DEP the same as any other environmental permit applications.Some Tallahassee residents who fought a proposed biomass gas electric plant in Tallahassee earlier this year now are asking DEP to take a closer look at
Friday, 16 October 2009
PSC approves nuke charges as members cite legal conflict
Posted on 14:03 by Unknown
Florida law contains contradictions to guide the Public Service Commission on how much to allow companies to bill their customers for nuclear power plants that have not been completed, some PSC members said today.The PSC voted 3-1 to allow Florida's two largest utilities to bill customers for two proposed nuclear plants in advance of their construction. The requests faced opposition from some
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
Florida oil drilling supporters, opponents post letters on issue
Posted on 13:27 by Unknown
Florida oil drilling opponents today called on Gov. Charlie Crist to include more coastal protections to his criteria for allowing offshore drilling.Drilling supporters, meanwhile, touted support today for drilling from road and bridge builders -- although an endorsement letter from the group was issued more than a month ago.Supporters say drilling can reduce dependence on foreign oil and produce
Bronson says water lawsuit threatens jobs, prescribed burning
Posted on 02:05 by Unknown
Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson Tuesday warned other Cabinet members that setting specific pollution standards for nutrients in Florida waters could jeopardize prescribed burning efforts and the state's forest industry.The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has agreed to set numeric standards for nitrogen, phosphorus and other nutrients in Florida waterways, replacing the state's
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
A short Q&A with Florida DEP on water quality
Posted on 13:27 by Unknown
FloridaEnvironments.com asked the Florida Department of Environmental Protection about its role in the U.S. EPA setting numeric criteria for nutrients in Florida waterways. Here are questions and the answers provided by DEP Communications Director Nancy Blum:Does DEP have a view on the timetable for developing the criteria -- is Jan. 15 too soon?It is hard to predict the outcome of science. DEP
Monday, 12 October 2009
Bio-energy, ethanol projects proposed across Florida
Posted on 14:30 by Unknown
Artist's rendering of proposed BG&E plant in Gulf County.Nine bio-energy or ethanol projects are being proposed in Florida and at least five others are under discussion, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.DEP is holding an informational meeting Wednesday in Port St. Joe on one of those projects proposed by Biomass Gas & Electric of Norcross, Ga. The company proposes a
Friday, 9 October 2009
Enviros support new lands ranking process approved today
Posted on 11:52 by Unknown
In a move that environmentalists said resolves their concerns, a state panel on Friday adopted a rule that would establish a new rankings process for determining which conservation lands should be bought.Florida's land-buying program is the largest in the nation, with 2.4 million acres having been purchased since 1990. But the Legislature earlier this year refused to provide any money in the
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
Two senators want panel to explore oil drilling
Posted on 17:41 by Unknown
Two Democratic senators today said they are proposing legislation to require creation of a new panel to look at the risks and benefits of drilling off of Florida's coastline.Sen. David Aronberg of Greenacres and Sen. Ted Deutch of Boca Raton said environmental and energy experts need more time to look into the drilling issue, which Gov. Charlie Crist suggests should be included in a special
Dumpster-diver gets "Green Schools" award
Posted on 17:25 by Unknown
TAMPA -- Matt Mooney, 16, says dumpster-diving for aluminum cans isn't easy, but it's worth it.During the past three years, Mooney, a Junior at Land O' Lakes High School, has collected 1.1 million cans, turning them into $15,000 cash. But he and his friends didn't keep the money -- it went to a local Habitat for Humanity program to build homes for needy families.For his efforts, Mooney tonight
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
Some agreement, disagreement in House Dems oil debate
Posted on 13:52 by Unknown
A discussion among Florida House Democrats on oil drilling today featured some sharp exchanges between a leading environmental opponent an attorney representing drilling supporters.House Republicans last April overwhelmingly supported HB 1219, which would have allowed drilling within three miles of the Gulf Coast. Democrats led the opposition in the 70-43 vote.But the bill was never heard in the
Friday, 2 October 2009
Florida solar group criticized for oil drilling support
Posted on 10:38 by Unknown
A solar energy group's support for offshore oil drilling is facing sharp criticism from environmentalists.Associated Industries of Florida, Associated Builders and Contractors and the Florida Petroleum Council are supporting offshore drilling, saying it would create jobs and royalties revenue for state coffers. Environmental groups say the claims are speculative and that drilling threatens the
Bronson sides against EPA agreement on waterways
Posted on 10:37 by Unknown
Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson says he is seeking to intervene against a proposed federal court settlement that would require the U.S. Environmental Protection agency to set stricter limits on nutrients in state water bodies.Environmental groups announced in August that they had reached a settlement that requires the EPA to set numeric limits on nutrients such as nitrogen and
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