BY BRUCE RITCHIE Floridaenvironments.com Race tracks and gas-guzzling hot-rods may seem to be the antithesis of environmentalism, but NASCAR officials are trying to change that viewpoint. NASCAR is big business in Florida with two of its top races being held in the state. The sport closes out its 2012 season on Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway […]
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Comments Off on Florida PSC may reconsider energy goals set in 2009
The Florida Public Service Commission on Tuesday rejected energy conservation plans proposed for the state’s two largest electric utilities because of concerns about cost. Instead, commissioners said they may reconsider the conservation goals set by the PSC only two years ago — before the Legislature removed four of the five commission members at the time. […]
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Comments Off on Session could have been worse but it was still bad, environmentalists say
The Florida legislative session went off track early Saturday, taking several bills with it that were supported by business and industry groups and opposed by environmentalists. But environmentalists were not in a celebratory mood as the Legislature passed bills gutting state growth management and placing the burden of proof on those who file legal challenges […]
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Comments Off on Some biomass energy projects stall as others remain viable
Conceptual rendering of American Renewables’ proposed plant in Gainesville Officials in the biomass energy industry say regulatory uncertainties continue to affect the development of new projects in Florida. As state officials continue to promote biomass as a source of energy that will create jobs in Florida, some projects remain in limbo while company officials say […]
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Comments Off on Crist, Sink to lead drilling ban effort
Former Gov. Charlie Crist and former Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink said Wednesday that banning oil drilling will help protect the state’s tourism economy and environment. They returned to Tallahassee to announce they will co-chair the petition drive to put a ban on oil drilling on the 2012 election ballot. As the Deepwater Horizon oil […]
Monday, February 7, 2011
Comments Off on Bennett says he’s glad Scott moved to fill PSC posts
Sen. Mike Bennett says he’s glad Gov. Rick Scott “put to bed” without disruption the issue of who will be serving on the Florida Public Service Commission. The governor on Friday reappointed four PSC members whose appointments he had withdrawn two days earlier. Scott on Wednesday withdrew 154 appointments made by Gov. Charlie Crist, including […]
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday withdrew 154 appointments to boards across the state including four of the five Florida Public Service Commission members. Scott withdrew the appointments in a memo to Sen. President Mike Haridopolos. The appointments were awaiting Senate confirmation. Gov. Charlie Crist withdrew 283 appointments in 2007 when he took over after former […]
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
A bill filed by Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood, would eliminate Florida’s greenhouse gas emissions cap-and-trade program before one was ever adopted. Climate change and regulation of greenhouse gas emissions was a priority of Gov. Charlie Crist soon after he took office in 2007, but it dropped as a priority after 2008. Gov. Rick Scott, who […]
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Comments Off on PSC approves Gulf Power conservation plan after initial rejection
The Florida Public Service Commission on Tuesday approved an energy conservation plan for Gulf Power Co. after initially rejecting a plan submitted by the utility last fall. Gulf Power, the state’s fourth largest investor-owned utility with more than 430,000 customers, was one of four utilities whose “demand-side management” conservation plans were rejected initially by the […]
Monday, January 24, 2011
With the Public Service Commission next week holding hearings on revised charges for Florida Power & Light Co. customers, a Senate bill would eliminate a 2006 state law that allows utilities to charge for new nuclear plants even if they are never built. SB 200 by Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, would repeal a […]
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
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