A recommendation to Governor-elect Rick Scott that the state transportation, environmental and planning agencies be combined suggests a return to Florida's past growth management mistakes, a University of Florida planning expert said Tuesday.Scott's regulatory reform transition team suggested combining the Department of Transportation, Department of Environmental Protection and Department of
Wednesday, 22 December 2010
Saturday, 18 December 2010
Judge not pleased with Florida in Everglades case
Posted on 01:45 by Unknown
A federal judge on Friday expressed support for a new $1.5 billion federal plan to reduce Everglades pollution while raising concerns with Florida's response to the proposal, according to the Associated Press.United States District Judge Alan. S. Gold, who in April threatened the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with contempt of court over chronic water problems, on Friday told agency
Thursday, 16 December 2010
Attorneys defend court ordering Florida environmental groups to pay
Posted on 15:28 by Unknown
Attorneys for Martin County and two development firms are defending a state appeals court decision ordering environmental groups to pay for challenging a Martin County land-use decision.The 1st District Court of Appeal on Tuesday ordered 1000 Friends of Florida and the Martin County Conservation Alliance to pay attorneys' fees for the Florida Department of Community Affairs, Martin County and two
Federal court to hear Everglades case Friday
Posted on 15:26 by Unknown
Leading up to a federal court hearing in Miami on Friday, Friends of the Everglades is calling on the state to require polluters rather than taxpayers to pay for cleaning up the "River of Grass."Friends of the Everglades and the Miccosukee Tribe have sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over failure to clean up water flowing into the Everglades. U.S. District Judge Alan S. Gold in April
Wednesday, 15 December 2010
Florida appeals court orders enviro groups to pay attorney fees
Posted on 05:12 by Unknown
A state appeals court ruled on Tuesday that environmental groups must pay the attorneys fees of Martin County, the Florida Department of Community Affairs and development interests for appealing a land-use case.Richard Grosso, an attorney for the groups 1000 Friends of Florida and the Martin County Conservation Alliance, says the ruling sets a chilling precedent for groups that seek to enforce
Tuesday, 14 December 2010
Florida PSC approves rate freeze for Florida Power & Light
Posted on 18:04 by Unknown
The Florida Public Service Commission on Tuesday voted 5-0 to approve a settlement with Florida Power & Light Co. to resolve a controversial rate-hike request denied by the commission earlier this year.The PSC denial in January of a $1 billion rate hike request played a role in the Senate's refusal in April to confirm two reform-minded PSC members appointed by Gov. Charlie Crist. Two other
Saturday, 11 December 2010
Cold weather pushes manatee deaths past last year's record
Posted on 07:26 by Unknown
This manatee was rescued from Wakulla Springs during a cold weather snap in February 2008.The number of manatee deaths in 2010 is already more than 50 percent higher than the record number that died in 2009 -- with cold weather this year having taken a heavy toll on the lumbering sea cows, Florida wildlife officials said Friday.The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission documented 699
Friday, 10 December 2010
Florida DEP credits controversial federal water standards
Posted on 02:38 by Unknown
Environmental groups say this algae bloom in 2009 on a tributary of the St. Johns River was fueled by excessive nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorous.A Florida Department of Environmental Protection official on Thursday for the first time sounded a note different from the sharp criticism leveled by state officials and industry representatives towards new federal water quality standards.The
Wednesday, 8 December 2010
Florida water disputes won't be focus of new panel, chairman says
Posted on 19:07 by Unknown
The chairman of a new select House committee addressing water issues said Wednesday she expects it to deal more with water quality issues and less with water quantity except for "big picture" issues.On Tuesday, House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, said he is establishing the Select Committee on Water Policy and he named Rep. Trudi Williams, R-Fort Myers, as chairman. She also is chairman of
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
Florida Cabinet approves Gainesville biomass plant
Posted on 17:28 by Unknown
A proposed wood-burning power plant in Gainesville that would be tied for being the largest of its kind in the nation was approved Tuesday by the governor and Cabinet.In their last meeting before leaving office, the four elected Cabinet members voted unanimously to approve a power plant construction and operating certificate as recommended by an administrative law judge. American Renewables still
Big Cypress land deal goes through despite concerns
Posted on 17:26 by Unknown
In their final meeting before all four members leave office, Gov. Charlie Crist and the Cabinet voted Tuesday to approve the transfer of 29,412 acres of state land to the federal government as an addition to Big Cypress National Preserve.The Cabinet also approved an option to purchase a 2,848-acre conservation easement in Polk County from The Nature Conservancy for $5.6 million. The group will
Monday, 6 December 2010
Huge Florida biomass plant up for Cabinet vote
Posted on 17:48 by Unknown
Conceptual rendering of American Renewables proposed plant in GainesvilleA proposed woody biomass electric plant that would be one of the largest of its kind in the nation could move a step closer to reality with a Cabinet vote on Tuesday.American Renewables and the city of Gainesville are proposing the 100-megawatt biomass plant on 131 acres at the city's Deerhaven power plant. The plant would
Friday, 3 December 2010
New Senate environmental chairman wants to repeal septic tank inspections
Posted on 06:46 by Unknown
The new chairman of the Senate's environmental committee has introduced a bill that would repeal a new requirement that septic tanks be inspected every five years.The inspection requirement in SB 550 earlier this year was promoted by supporters as a springs protection measure. But legislators voted during the special session on Nov. 16 to delay the program start from Jan. 1 to July 1 after an
Thursday, 2 December 2010
Agency withdraws proposed growth rule changes after veto override
Posted on 03:32 by Unknown
The Florida Department of Community Affairs has withdrawn two controversial proposed rule changes because of the Legislature's override of the governor's veto of HB 1565.HB 1565 requires legislative approval for proposed regulations that could cost more than $200,000 a year for all businesses across the state. Supporters said the bill would prevent agencies from imposing burdensome costs on
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