Florida on Saturday was reopening state waters near Pensacola that were closed to fishing because of the BP oil spill, Gov. Charlie Crist said late Friday.Waters along the 23-mile stretch of coast had been closed since June 13 when oil was washing ashore at beaches in Escambia County. Fishing was allowed only for catch-and-release. The area was reopened because lab analyses showed fish from the
Saturday, 31 July 2010
Opponents go to DC to argue against proposed federal pollution limits
Posted on 08:05 by Unknown
Three Florida House members traveled to Washington, D.C. this week to urge Florida's congressional delegation to fight proposed federal water quality standards for waterways within the state.The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency earlier this year proposed specific limits for nitrogen, phosphorus and other nutrients to replace a state narrative standard that environmentalists said is too vague
McCollum energy plan would force solar, wind to compete
Posted on 08:01 by Unknown
Attorney General Bill McCollum said Friday that as governor he will promote nuclear, biomass and "clean coal" to diversify Florida's energy supply, and that solar, wind and ocean energy should have to compete in the private sector to bring costs down.The Republican candidate for governor joins the growing list of candidates for statewide office who have submitted plans to create jobs in the
Thursday, 29 July 2010
Coalitions forming against biomass nationally and in Gainesville
Posted on 18:59 by Unknown
Conceptual rendering of American Renewables proposed plant in GainesvilleGroups and individuals opposed to biomass energy plants announced Thursday they are taking steps to block a proposed plant in Gainesville while opposing federal legislation dealing with renewable energy.Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson, Gov. Charlie Crist and some environmental groups say using wood, crops or garbage
Bronson seeks $59 million from BP for seafood testing plan
Posted on 18:48 by Unknown
While criticizing media coverage that he says raises doubts about the safety of Gulf seafood, Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson on Thursday also revealed that he has asked BP to pay $59 million over the next 10 years to test affected seafood for oil and chemical dispersants.Bronson submitted the request along with a seafood testing plan. Even while a large area of the Gulf remains closed
U of Florida study points to real estate gloom from oil spill
Posted on 04:20 by Unknown
More then 100 days after the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded and sank off the Louisiana coast, a University of Florida study shows that the disaster is creating real estate market uncertainties far from affected counties along the Panhandle. The gushing BP well was capped on July 15 and work to kill the well is ongoing. On Wednesday, state officials said scattered tar balls continued to wash
Tuesday, 27 July 2010
Sink renewable energy plan calls for fed dollars to produce energy jobs
Posted on 19:55 by Unknown
Democratic gubernatorial hopeful and Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink released an energy plan on Tuesday that offered broad support for new renewable energy policies while banking on an increase of federal economic stimulus dollars to grow clean energy jobs in Florida.Sink released the 10-page plan at a news conference in Miami. The BP oil spill in the Gulf showed the economic threat of
Monday, 26 July 2010
"Hometown democracy" opponents raise 30 times more than supporters
Posted on 17:01 by Unknown
The lead group fighting the proposed "Hometown Democracy" amendment collected $4.7 million between April 1 and July 16 compared to $138,573 for the group that put the measure on the ballot in November.Amendment 4 would require voter approval of changes by cities and counties to comprehensive land use plans. Supporters say the amendment is needed to curb urban sprawl and wrestle the growth
Less oil in Florida waters; Feinberg to address task force on Wednesday
Posted on 16:55 by Unknown
Scattered tar balls continued to wash up along the Florida Panhandle coast on Monday but federal and state officials said there appeared to be much less oil in Gulf waters from the formerly spewing BP oil well.The well off the Louisiana coast has remained capped since July 15 after gushing since an explosion and fire on April 20. State officials on Monday reported widely scattered tar balls in
Friday, 23 July 2010
USF researchers confirm oil clouds that may pose long-term threat
Posted on 14:56 by Unknown
University of South Florida researchers have confirmed that two subsea clouds of micro oil droplets found in May were from the BP oil spill. Their findings suggest that the oil spilled between April 20 and July 15 raises the possibility that the spill poses a threat to fish and sea life off the Florida coast even after the threat to beaches from oil has passed.One cloud discovered by USF's
Florida officials trumpet opening of federal waters closed by oil spill
Posted on 07:11 by Unknown
State officials on Thursday trumpeted the reopening of federal waters far off the southwest Florida coast that had been closed to fishing because of the BP oil spill.Florida officials had pressed the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to reopen waters where they said oil no longer was found. NOAA on Thursday reopened 26,388 square miles, an area almost the size of West Virginia, or
Thursday, 22 July 2010
Cave explorer, springs advocate Wes Skiles dies while diving
Posted on 08:56 by Unknown
Florida's globally known cave explorer, photographer and Florida springs advocate Wes Skiles died Wednesday while filming off the coast of Palm Beach County, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said Thursday. (See statement attached as comments).Based in High Springs with Karst Productions, Skiles, 52, was a former member of the Florida Springs Task Force. His "Water's Journey: The Hidden
Judge rules against Florida AND Georgia in water case
Posted on 05:20 by Unknown
A federal judge has issued yet another ruling against Georgia in a tri-state water dispute but in doing so also has ruled against Florida, according to news reports.Alabama, Florida and Georgia have been fighting in federal court over water in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint river system since 1990. The issue pits growth in Alabama and Georgia against Florida's desire to protect endangered
Wednesday, 21 July 2010
Florida prepares as storm threatens plans to seal BP oil well
Posted on 18:22 by Unknown
A possible tropical storm in the Atlantic Ocean posed a threat to Florida later this week and to efforts to permanently seal the BP oil well in the Gulf of MexicoThe BP oil well since April 20 has fouled Escambia County beaches, threatened the state's tourism economy and caused political upheaval. A special session called by Gov. Charlie Crist ended Tuesday when the Legislature refused to vote on
Renewable energy supporters look ahead after not-so-special session
Posted on 04:35 by Unknown
With the BP oil spill again having sounded calls for more attention to energy alternatives, some renewable energy supporters said Tuesday they remain hopeful the Legislature will take up the issue this summer. "I don't think anybody expected [the House to adjourn in] 53 minutes," said Mike Anthiel, executive director of the Florida Alliance for Renewable Energy. "But I think we knew what was
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
Crist blasts "do-nothing" Florida Legislature after no oil drilling vote
Posted on 10:47 by Unknown
The Florida Legislature on Tuesday adjourned within three hours after opening a special session on oil drilling called by Gov. Charlie Crist. Crist had called the session to last four days to consider placing a state constitution ban on the ballot in November. But House Speaker Larry Cretul, R-Ocala, told the House shortly after the session began at noon that calling the session "is a terrible
Monday, 19 July 2010
Florida oil drilling fears born during 2009 legislative session
Posted on 19:13 by Unknown
In 2009, Rep. Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, argued in favor of lifting the ban in state law against oil drilling in Florida waters.Supporters of placing a ban on oil drilling in the state Constitution say you don't have to go far back in history -- only to 2009 -- to show why one is needed. In 2009, HB 1219 by Rep. Charles Van Zant, R-Keystone Heights, had simply directed the Florida Department of
On eve of special session, groups release survey showing support for drilling ban vote
Posted on 19:05 by Unknown
Drilling opponents protested outside of the historic Florida Capitol on May 25. On Tuesday, they will visit the Capitol again during a special session to urge the Legislature to put a drilling ban on the ballot in November.On the eve of the special legislative session dealing with oil drilling, environmental groups on Monday released a survey showing that 71 percent of Florida voters support
Friday, 16 July 2010
Florida officials urge caution as BP well tests continue
Posted on 17:10 by Unknown
State officials on Friday warned emergency workers against getting "happy feet" in response to the capping of the gushing oil well in the Gulf.The leaking BP oil well since April 20 has caused oil to wash ashore in the western Florida Panhandle and closed beaches and coastal fishing areas. BP and federal officials continue monitoring pressure in the well on Friday after capping it Thursday,
BP official says well test results so far are 'encouraging' but inconclusive
Posted on 06:04 by Unknown
BP Vice President Kent Wells said this morning that the closing and testing of the oil well in the Gulf had yielded encouraging but inconclusive results so far.Pressure within the well and capping system has continued to build to 6,700 pounds per square inch, which is about 200 times more than an automobile tire.There are no visible signs of leaks and sonar emitted from four robotic vehicles also
Thursday, 15 July 2010
BP says oil gusher has stopped -- results not final
Posted on 13:04 by Unknown
A Florida official welcomed the news Thursday that oil had stopped gushing into the Gulf of Mexico -- for the first time in 87 days. But testing of a new well cap must continue to determine that there are no leaks."While it is hard not to have a moment of elation," Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael Sole said during a conference call with county emergency officials, "I will
House speaker, Senate president dismiss special session
Posted on 11:56 by Unknown
House Speaker Larry Cretul told fellow House members on Thursday they could expect a "very short" stay in Tallahassee for next week's oil drilling special legislative session, suggesting there would be no serious consideration of a drilling ban.Cretul, R-Ocala, made his announcement shortly after Senate President Jeff Atwater sent his own letter to the speaker suggesting that another session
Special session looms as nation awaits BP's actions to cap gushing well
Posted on 01:53 by Unknown
With a special legislative session scheduled to begin next week to consider a ban on oil drilling, Florida officials watched and waited again Wednesday to learn whether a gushing oil well in the Gulf of Mexico can be capped. BP delayed launching tests on Tuesday to determine whether the new containment system might work and said those tests could begin late Wednesday."Clearly when I heard there
Wednesday, 14 July 2010
No plan yet on oil drilling special session
Posted on 05:46 by Unknown
A special session is only a week away but no firm plan has been reached by House and Senate leaders on what should happen.Gov. Charlie Crist wants lawmakers to put a constitutional ban on oil drilling on the November ballot, but House leaders remain opposed to it. The question, however, is whether legislators are willing to come to Tallahassee and do nothing.“I don’t know what’s going to
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
BP nixes Crist request for additional $50 million for ads
Posted on 18:02 by Unknown
BP appears to be rejecting Gov. Charlie Crist's request for an additional $50 million for Florida tourism advertising in response to the ongoing oil spill.Florida received $25 million in June for advertising to offset the negative images of oil in the Gulf of Mexico. On June 30, Crist sent a letter to BP saying the $25 million had been "deployed." He requested the additional $50 million for
Attorneys say lawsuit focuses on oil spill's effects on property values
Posted on 05:50 by Unknown
The sight of oil washing up on Florida's beaches and the empty restaurants, souvenir stores and bait shops already has led to the filing of numerous lawsuits -- creating perhaps a sense that attorneys are closing in like sharks at the smell of blood, or money, in the water.But some attorneys who recently filed a class-action lawsuit against county property appraisers in the Florida Panhandle say
Thursday, 8 July 2010
Owner agrees to sell vital land along manatee sanctuary
Posted on 10:47 by Unknown
An aerial view of manatees gathered near the mouth of Three Sisters Springs.The owner of 57 acres near the Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River tentatively has agreed to sell his land to the state for $10.5 million, a landowner representative said Thursday.The Florida Communities Trust on June 24 agreed to pay $10.5 million for the land in a deal aimed at stopping a proposal to build 309 homes.
Florida's Crist calls oil drilling special session
Posted on 10:47 by Unknown
Saying he felt a "compelling duty to protect Florida," Gov. Charlie Crist on Thursday said he is calling a special session July 20-23 to consider a constitutional ban on drilling in Florida waters.Crist previously said he supported drilling as long as it was safe enough and far enough away to protect the coast. But he came out against drilling again after the BP oil spill began on April 20.Crist
Wednesday, 7 July 2010
Chiles wants 20-percent renewable energy standard
Posted on 19:08 by Unknown
Bud Chiles, independent candidate for governor, said Wednesday he will push for a 20-percent renewable energy requirement as governor and push to reauthorize the solar energy rebate program.Chiles announced the initiatives after touring the Florida Solar Energy Center in Cocoa. He also criticized his opponents' and their parties for accepting donations from utilities."I am the one candidate who
Nelson says more skimmers on the way to Florida, Gulf to battle oil
Posted on 04:54 by Unknown
More oil-skimming vessels are on the way to the Gulf of Mexico while the BP oil spill is not expected to affect Florida this week, state officials said Tuesday.U. S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Melbourne, visited the state Emergency Operations Center and announced that 27 U. S. Navy skimming vessels were being deployed to the Gulf from Navy ports in addition to six that already had been sent recently.
Tuesday, 6 July 2010
Trade groups band together for renewable energy
Posted on 05:35 by Unknown
Workers are trained at the Florida Solar Energy Center in Cocoa to install solar panels.An informal coalition of renewable energy trade groups have developed a policy statement that they hope will push the Florida Legislature to take action on renewable energy.Some legislators have cited disagreement among renewable energy groups as a challenge in developing renewable energy legislation.HB 7229
Saturday, 3 July 2010
Florida Legislators angry over halted beach cleanups
Posted on 05:27 by Unknown
Workers clean oil from a Pensacola beach on June 23rd.Legislators complained Friday that oil spill clean up workers are being kept off beaches because there are not enough workers who are specifically trained to watch out for sea turtles.During a telephone conference call with Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael Sole, Rep. Marti Coley, R-Marianna, said workers from Bay County
Florida health officials change postings for oiled beaches
Posted on 05:20 by Unknown
After hundreds of people complained about swimming with oil at beaches in Escambia County last week, the Florida Department of Health is making modest changes in its system for issuing beach swimming advisories.All Gulf beaches in Escambia County were closed Saturday along with most beaches in Walton County, according to a DOH website. More than 400 people complained last week to the Escambia
Thursday, 1 July 2010
Nominating council could limit governor's PSC picks
Posted on 18:16 by Unknown
The Florida Public Service Commission Nominating Council in August will interview six applicants for two spots on the Public Service Commission even though all of them have already been nominated to fill two other seats. The council's choices could limit the governor's selection to lead the troubled agency, but the council chairman says that was not the intent.In a controversial move on Wednesday
Fallout continues over ousting of Florida PSC members
Posted on 18:13 by Unknown
Independent candidate for governor Bud Chiles on Thursday called on Gov. Charlie Crist to aks for a grand jury to investigate the Florida Public Service Commission.The PSC Nominating Council on Wednesday effectively ousted Chairman Nancy Argenziano and Commissioner Nathan A. Skop by not selecting them among the 18 to be interviewed for their seats after their terms end on Jan. 1. Both
Weather hampers oil spill response but plans unveiled
Posted on 15:09 by Unknown
Responders remove sea turtle eggs from a nest on the Fort Morgan Peninsula in Alabama on June 27. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service photos by Bonnie Strawser.Bad weather hampered oil spill cleanup operations Thursday as state officials weighed in on efforts to help wildlife, fishermen and counties that are battling the spill.Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Melbourne, wrote a letter to Gov. Charlie Crist
Florida solar program ends with $41 million backlog
Posted on 03:43 by Unknown
Florida's solar energy rebate program ended Wednesday with a backlog of more than 11,000 applications totaling at least $41.6 million.Gov. Charlie Crist has hinted that a special session to address energy issues could be used to extend the program, which paid out $25 million in rebates between 2006 and 2009. The program, which paid up to $20,000 for home solar electric panels and up to $500 for
Argenziano, Skop ousted from Florida PSC
Posted on 03:38 by Unknown
Chairman Nancy Argenziano and Commissioner Nathan A. Skop have been ousted from the Florida Public Service Commission, meaning that four of the commissioners who voted against utility rate hikes in January have been removed.The Public Service Commission Nominating Council met Wednesday morning in Tampa and voted with little discussion to interview 18 candidates other than Skop and Argenziano for
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