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 Community Affairs during the […]
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Comments Off on Judge not pleased with Florida in Everglades case
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 […]
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Comments Off on Federal court to hear Everglades case Friday
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 […]
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Comments Off on Florida appeals court orders enviro groups to pay attorney fees
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 […]
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Comments Off on Florida PSC approves rate freeze for Florida Power & Light
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 […]
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Comments Off on Cold weather pushes manatee deaths past last year’s record
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 […]
Friday, December 10, 2010
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 […]
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Comments Off on Florida water disputes won’t be focus of new panel, chairman says
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. […]
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
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 […]
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
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 […]
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Comments Off on Expert: New Florida governor risks repeating past growth mistakes