Misc

Groups claim coal ash is leaking into Apalachicola River

By BRUCE RITCHIE FLORIDAENVIRONMENTS.COM Environmental groups say a coal-fired power plant along the Apalachicola River is leaking cancer-causing pollutants into the river. The Earthjustice law firm announced Thursday it had filed a federal lawsuit in Tallahassee on behalf of environmental groups to stop the alleged leaks from Gulf Power Co.’s Plant Scholz near Sneads. Coal ash …

Groups claim coal ash is leaking into Apalachicola River Read More »

Sierra Club seeks ‘brownfields’ bill veto as grants are given

By BRUCE RITCHIE FLORIDAENVIRONMENTS.COM Sierra Club Florida is asking Gov. Rick Scott to veto a bill that supporters say would speed the cleanup and redevelopment of contamination sites known as brownfields. Meanwhile, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $400,000 to three Florida communities for brownfields cleanups, according to the Florida Department of Environmental …

Sierra Club seeks ‘brownfields’ bill veto as grants are given Read More »

Author wants us to rediscover, protect Florida’s fountains of youth

By BRUCE RITCHIE FLORIDAENVIRONMENTS.COM Graphic designer Rick Kilby of Orlando visited Florida’s springs while growing up in Gainesville in the late 1960s and early 1970s. But he says his study of them began a few years ago with a historic roadside attraction in St. Augustine — the kind of “tourist traps” he says most Floridians …

Author wants us to rediscover, protect Florida’s fountains of youth Read More »

HEADING INTO THE FINAL WEEK — A SPRINGS HEAD-SCRATCHER

BY BRUCE RITCHIE FLORIDAENVIRONMENTS.COM I’d like to say the session is winding down with just a week to go but it’s really not. It’s actually cranking up. With both chambers now going all day without committee meetings, bills are getting amended and speedily passed. Many controversial environmental bills have been amended or are dead. Here …

HEADING INTO THE FINAL WEEK — A SPRINGS HEAD-SCRATCHER Read More »

Week three: Everglades deal reached; the passing of a Southern gentleman

By BRUCE RITCHIE It was the third week of the Florida legislative session and the pace definitely picked up. Bills were moving through various committees while budget hearings were being held in the Senate. EVERGLADES The biggest news was that environmentalists and the sugar industry reached an agreement on legislation to fund Gov. Rick Scott’s …

Week three: Everglades deal reached; the passing of a Southern gentleman Read More »

COMING SOON: Big renewable energy project that may never get built

BY BRUCE RITCHIE FLORIDAENVIRONMENTS.COM Sometimes covering the environment and energy in Florida seems like the land of big promises and broken dreams. But I’ve decided that just comes with the beat. Witness this week when James Scrivener, CEO of National Solar Power, updated the Gadsden County Chamber of Commerce on his plans to build 400 …

COMING SOON: Big renewable energy project that may never get built Read More »

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 …

Some biomass energy projects stall as others remain viable Read More »

Cabinet agrees to reverse DCA stance on Volusia development

Two months after outgoing Department of Community Affairs Secretary Tom Pelham determined that a 5,000-acre land use change in Volusia County was illegal, the DCA won Cabinet approval Tuesday for the development. Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet approved an order for the proposed “Restoration” development on 5,187 acres in Edgewater west of Interstate 95. …

Cabinet agrees to reverse DCA stance on Volusia development Read More »

EPA regional chief, responding to critics, says pollution prevention is good investment

U. S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Gwen Keyes Fleming said Friday that investing in clean water is better than paying more to clean up dirty water and fight harmful algal blooms. She held introductory meetings with state and local officials in Tallahassee amid concerns about new federal water quality standards. Those proposed federal limits …

EPA regional chief, responding to critics, says pollution prevention is good investment Read More »