The "Clean Energy Congress" concluded Tuesday in Tallahassee with a series of policy recommendations for reducing energy use and boosting renewable energy. With the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico as a backdrop, representatives from a variety of environmental and industry groups and agencies met in the Florida House chambers to develop energy proposals.The delegates recommended a
Tuesday, 29 June 2010
Sink calls for energy leadership but avoids committing to policies
Posted on 21:18 by Unknown
Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink on Tuesday told the "Clean Energy Congress" that renewable energy investors want "concrete hints" about policy and rules but she declined to say what new energy policies she supports.Sink, a Democratic candidate for governor, said she supports the new Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program, established by HB 7179, that allows local governments to issue
Sea turtles facing threats on two fronts in Gulf oil spill
Posted on 17:34 by Unknown
With the Gulf oil spill threatening wildlife and coastal economies, federal officials are planning to relocate sea turtle hatchlings from the region to the Atlantic Ocean, the St. Petersburg Times reported Tuesday.Meanwhile, the Center for Biological Diversity said it is filing a federal lawsuit against BP and the U.S. Coast Guard for burning sea turtles alive in controlled burns to reduce the
Monday, 28 June 2010
"Clean Energy Congress" to wrap up Tuesday
Posted on 20:16 by Unknown
Speakers at the Clean Energy Congress called for requiring more renewable energy and a special legislative session to deal with energy issues. Against the backdrop of the ongoing Gulf oil spill, more than 120 business owners, environmental activists and government officials participated in the gathering in the Florida House chambers.The Florida Business Network for a Clean Energy Economy
Groups question district's decision to sell conservation lands
Posted on 04:42 by Unknown
Statewide environmental groups are objecting to the Suwannee River Water Management District's designation of "surplus" lands that could be sold and say they will ask Gov. Charlie Crist to intervene. Florida has the largest conservation land-buying program in the nation with 2.4 million acres having been purchased since 1990.Some legislators say the state has too much land and should sell some of
Sunday, 27 June 2010
Thousands gather in support of coastal communities
Posted on 14:34 by Unknown
Many people along the Gulf coast are affected by the ongoing BP oil spill, says Linda McCue of Tallahassee. On Saturday, she joined hands with about 15 of them at a Wakulla County beach in a quiet demonstration in support of the coastal environment against the effects of oil drilling. Other "Hands Across the Sand" events were held around the world, with Gov. Charlie Crist briefly joining about
Thursday, 24 June 2010
State board balks at budget provision approved by Legislature
Posted on 19:27 by Unknown
A divided state panel on Thursday refused to set aside $2 million towards a Citrus County conservation purchase that had been tucked deep inside the new state budget.Instead the board of the Florida Communities Trust would only agree to a much a smaller amount for the project that had the backing of Sen. Charlie Dean, R-Inverness.The deal was aimed at stopping a proposal to build 309 homes on 57
Oil sticks around beaches after the clean-up crews leave
Posted on 18:00 by Unknown
Expect oil to continue washing ashore on Florida's beaches between Escambia and Walton counties, Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael Sole said Thursday.The state was expected to mobilize heavy equipment Thursday to clean up the beaches. But research by the University of South Florida suggests that such efforts can't clean up all of the oil. Only tar balls had washed
Quote of the week: "Psychological cloud" from oil spill
Posted on 14:52 by Unknown
"There really is a psychological cloud descending over the Panhandle. And frankly that is beginning to affect the rest of Florida."George H. Sheldon, secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families, June 23, 2010
Florida DEP's Sole wants federal closed fishing area reduced
Posted on 04:29 by Unknown
Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael Sole is asking NOAA to scale back the federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico that are closed to fishing.On Wednesday, there were 78,597 square miles of the Gulf of Mexico closed to fishing. That's an area larger than Florida and 34 other states but it represents only one-third of federal waters in the Gulf. Sole this week asked the
BP's new media star addresses state task force
Posted on 04:21 by Unknown
Darryl Willis, a new media new face for BP in its response to the ongoing Gulf oil spill, says he doesn't consider himself a star -- or a potential new target of the company's critics.Willis, who oversees BP's claims process on the Gulf coast, spoke Wednesday in Tallahassee to the BP claims working group of the state Oil Spill Economic Recovery Task Force. Willis now is being featured in
Beaches are closed in Pensacola as oil washes ashore
Posted on 04:19 by Unknown
Some of the heaviest oil yet washed ashore today in Pensacola Beach where Gov. Charlie Crist and President Obama visited last week, according to news reports"It's pretty ugly. There's no question about it," Gov. Charlie Crist, who arrived at the beach expecting to see tar balls, but not pools of sticky goo, said, according to the Miami Herald.The newspaper said oil had washed up along an
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
Crist asks for BP claims data as new complaints raised
Posted on 19:44 by Unknown
Gov. Charlie Crist on Tuesday asked BP for claims information submitted as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill while other state and local officials expressed frustration with the company. The governor on May 11 created the Oil Spill Economic Recovery Task Force to help businesses and industry recover from the loss of business and revenue related to the ongoing oil leak since April 20.On
Monday, 21 June 2010
Florida has 20 oil skimmers, needs 100
Posted on 19:33 by Unknown
A sweeping arm skimmer vessel collects oil in the Gulf of Mexico on June 10.Florida is asking federal officials and BP for more vessels to skim oil from the Gulf and has hired five of their own to operate in bays, state officials said.Tar balls washed ashore in Walton and Bay counties and an oil slick is nearing the inlet to St. Andrews Bay at Panama City Beach. Currents and winds should begin to
Once closed to news media, Crist opens conference calls
Posted on 19:32 by Unknown
Gov. Charlie Crist said Monday that conference calls among state and county emergency officials dealing with the oil spill now are open to the media.The Division of Emergency Management holds the conference calls daily. As recently as last Wednesday, the Florida Tribune and other media were denied requests to monitor the calls. Division of Emergency Management spokesman John M. Cherry III said
Oil spill shows need for coastal and oceans planning, experts say
Posted on 03:53 by Unknown
Coordinated federal coastal and ocean planning would have allowed Florida to play a greater role in decisions that may have averted the oil spill disaster in the Gulf, ocean experts said Friday. The Florida Coastal and Ocean Coalition held a one-day conference in Tallahassee that was sponsored by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Friday, 18 June 2010
Incoming Florida Senate president blames Crist for death of energy bill
Posted on 02:23 by Unknown
Incoming Senate President Mike Haridopolos on Thursday, while announcing his plans to moderate an energy conference in Orlando in August, blamed Gov. Charlie Crist for the failure of a renewable energy bill during the legislative session. The July 8 "Florida Energy Summit" will be hosted by Citizens for Clean Energy, a new nonprofit group formed by developer Kitson & Partners and other groups
St. Lucie plasma biomass plant permit approved, possibly nation's largest
Posted on 02:23 by Unknown
A state air pollution permit has been issued to a proposed biomass electric plant in St. Lucie County, which could become the first of its kind in the nation and the largest in the world. Geoplasma St. Lucie LLC proposes building the plasma arc plant on nine acres at the St. Lucie County landfill.Plasma arc technology was developed by NASA, according to Golder Associates. Plasma torches provide
Supreme Court ruling on beaches opens door to taking claims
Posted on 02:20 by Unknown
The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday ruled in Florida's favor in a challenge to the state law that establishes restored beaches as public property.But while ruling in favor of the state, a four-member minority of justices also may have created an avenue for future claims by property owners against courts in environmental cases, according to Florida legal experts. Florida law requires at least $30
55 apply for seats on Florida Public Service Commission
Posted on 02:19 by Unknown
Fifty-five applications were submitted by the Thursday deadline for the Public Service Commission seats now held by Chairman Nancy Argenziano and Commissioner Nathan A. Skop. Argenziano had submitted her application on Wednesday and Skop was among those submitting on Thursday.The nomination process and eventual confirmation likely will be controversial. Argenziano has suggested there are efforts
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Sen. Fasano questions recommendation of former Florida PSC director
Posted on 18:50 by Unknown
Sen. Mike Fasano says he will ask Gov. Charlie Crist to scratch former Public Service Commission Executive Director Mary Bane from the list of candidates being considered for two vacant spots on the panel that regulates utilities.Fasano, R-New Port Richey, introduced SB 1034, a PSC reform bill that was intended to address ethics controversies at the agency in 2009 about inappropriate contact
Sea turtle group active at Capitol gets name change
Posted on 18:39 by Unknown
The Caribbean Conservation Corp., a Gainesville-based nonprofit group that lobbies for sea turtles at the Florida Capitol, changed its name Wednesday to the Sea Turtle Conservancy.The group oversees spending for 30 percent of revenue from the Florida's sea turtle license plate and lobbies the legislative and executive branches on issues including oil drilling, beach sand replacement, land
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
Florida PSC members feud during meeting
Posted on 19:03 by Unknown
PSC Chairman Nancy Argenziano, center, makes a point on Tuesday as commissioners Lisa Polak Edgar and Nathan A. Scop listen.The three remaining members of the Florida Public Service Commission traded accusations of "pettiness" and "silliness" during a tense discussion Tuesday on commission policies and procedures.The PSC has become a battleground between Gov. Charlie Crist and some legislators
Obama calls for renewable energy, Gulf restoration plan
Posted on 18:40 by Unknown
President Barack Obama told a military audience in Pensacola Tuesday that the administration will do everything it can to deal with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill including calling in the military if necessary. Obama wrapped up a two-day tour of Gulf states affected by the ongoing BP oil spill. On Tuesday night, he said in an Oval Office address that he is asking Navy Secretary Ray Mabus to
Monday, 14 June 2010
Federal audit criticizes Florida solar rebate spending
Posted on 19:37 by Unknown
Florida failed to use federal money to create jobs and, instead, targeted dollars to an energy rebate program, according to a critical federal report released earlier this month.Florida was allocated $126 million from the U. S. Department of Energy under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 which was supposed to be targeted either to new projects or to expand existing projects and
Florida oil drilling event goes national
Posted on 19:21 by Unknown
Organizers of February's "Hands Across the Sand" gathering in Florida against oil drilling plan to do it again on June 26, this time with a nationwide event.The Feb. 13 event attracted more than 10,000 people to 90 beaches around the state, according to organizer Dave Rauschkolb, a Seaside restaurant owner.Gov. Charlie Crist and the Legislature at the time were considering lifting the 20-year-old
Waters off Pensacola closed to fishing because of oil
Posted on 19:19 by Unknown
Twenty-three miles of Escambia County's coastline was closed to fishing Monday because of oil from the BP oil spill. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission closed the state waters in the area extending nine nautical miles from the shore beginning at 12:01 a.m. Monday. The closed area extends from the Alabama state line to the water tower at Pensacola Beach.The closure applies to
Monday, 7 June 2010
Writers take on oil drilling issue with new book
Posted on 12:30 by Unknown
Before Florida residents had ever heard about the Deepwater Horizon oil rig or had seen their beaches covered with tar balls, a group of writers decided last fall to pen their thoughts against oil drilling.And the editor of "UnspOILed: Writers speak for Florida's Coast," said she hopes the book will energize people rather than leaving them to feel further helpless about the plight of Gulf marine
Friday, 4 June 2010
Crist's new push for renewable energy leaves some puzzled
Posted on 05:16 by Unknown
By the Florida TribuneGov. Charlie Crist keeps saying that he wants to take up renewable energy legislation in a possible special session that would also deal with offshore oil drilling.'If ever there was a case made that we need alternative energy it's the one that out's in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico right now,'' said Crist this week, referring to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. "It seems
Thursday, 3 June 2010
Crist asks BP for $50 million while Sink, McCollum join the fray
Posted on 19:22 by Unknown
To view AP photos of the oiled wildlife published by the Boston Globe, click here.Gov. Charlie Crist on Thursday asked BP to provide the state with $50 million to cover emergency response efforts to the oil spill in addition to $25 million earlier provided by the company. On Friday morning, Crist is scheduled to appear on ABC's "Good Morning America" at 6:45 a.m., CNN "American Morning" at 7:30
House panel chairman says Crist must have been misled
Posted on 01:07 by Unknown
A "pretty darn upset" Rep. Ralph Poppell said Wednesday he thinks Gov. Charlie Crist was misled by an aide into vetoing his bills dealing with petroleum contamination sites and yard waste in landfills.HB 1385 would have allowed the owners of 4,985 contamination sites to remove them from the state cleanup list if they do not pose a threat to drinking water supplies. In his veto letter, Crist wrote
Wednesday, 2 June 2010
Florida calls for more shoreline protection as oil nears
Posted on 14:35 by Unknown
Gov. Charlie Crist said Wednesday he has requested additional boom to protect Florida's coast from an oil spill that has reached within 10 miles of the Panhandle beaches. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill off Louisiana has been gushing nearly 800,000 gallons a day since April 20. Winds are beginning to blow weathered oil towards Florida and oil sheen was spotted Tuesday 9.9 miles from the Panhandle
Tuesday, 1 June 2010
Bills dealing with yard waste and petroleum contamination sites vetoed
Posted on 19:55 by Unknown
Gov. Charlie Crist on Tuesday vetoed bills related to yard waste in landfills and petroleum contamination sites.Both HB 569 and HB 1385 were introduced by Rep. Ralph Poppell, R-Vero Beach and chairman of the House Natural Resources Appropriations Committee.HB 569 would have lifted the state ban on yard waste in landfills where methane gas was captured and burned to produce electricity. Waste
Georgia water law to create "culture of water conservation"
Posted on 17:46 by Unknown
Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue on Tuesday signed a bill that supporters say could help resolve the state's water wars with Alabama and Florida. The three states have been fighting in federal court since 1990 over water from the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint river system.U. S. District Judge Paul A. Magnuson on July 17, 2009 ruled that water use from the Chattahoochee River by cities was not
Lack of money means no new Florida Communities Trust application cycle
Posted on 17:43 by Unknown
Grant programs at the Florida Department of Community Affairs will not be accepting new applications this year for local parks and working waterfronts projects.The Florida Communities Trust (FCT) matches local dollars to help build recreational trails, preserve cultural and historic sites and provide public access to waterways and beaches. Because of the lack of funding for the Florida Forever
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