Author name: bruce

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

1 Comment / Misc /

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 […]

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EPA regional chief visits Tallahassee, may discuss water quality controversy

Misc /

The regional administrator from the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency today visits Tallahassee to meet with Florida officials and attend an event at Florida A&M; University. Gwen Keyes Fleming will have an introductory meeting with Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Herschel Vinyard, according to DEP. There’s no word on what they may talk about

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Facing elimination, DCA employees question Gov. Rick Scott

Misc /

After hearing Gov. Rick Scott speak Tuesday during a visit to the Florida Department of Community affairs, department systems programmer Robab Fayazi said she remains worried about losing her job there. Scott was peppered with questions by employees at the department, which he is proposing to eliminate. DCA oversees local growth management decisions and it

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House, Senate to give closer scrutiny to budget this week

Misc /

House and Senate budget writers this week will be looking for ways to cut environmental agencies’ budgets after questioning some of Gov. Rick Scott’s own recommended 2011-12 budget cuts last week. Senate Budget Subcommittee on General Government Appropriations holds hearings Tuesday through Thursday. The House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee meets Tuesday and Wednesday

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Groups want panther back in North Florida, South Georgia

Advocacy, Conservation, Wildlife /

Environmental groups are asking federal wildlife officials to reintroduce panthers into North Florida and South Georgia to help save the endangered species. Panthers once ranged across the southeast but are now limited to South Florida, where there are fewer than 130 living in the wild. Threats to their survival habitat loss, highways, lack of genetic

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New Florida agency chief calls for refocus on growth management

2011 Legislature, Government, Growth Management, Growth Management Law /

The new chief of Florida’s growth management agency on Tuesday made some suggestions that sound like what some statewide environmental groups have been advocating — an increased focus on long-range planning and less oversight of growth in urban areas. Gov. Rick Scott has repeatedly called the Department of Community Affairs a job-killer and on Monday

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Scott would reorganize DCA, DEP under proposed budget

2 Comments / Budgets, Economic Opportunity, FDEP, Gov. Rick Scott, Government, Growth Management, Growth Management Law /

Gov. Rick Scott is warning his supporters that unnamed “special interests” will his attack his 2011-12 budget recommendations and the cuts they include for growth and environmental programs. Scott proposes substantially reducing the number of state planners who oversee local growth management decisions and would move them to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. He

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Bennett says he’s glad Scott moved to fill PSC posts

2011 Legislature, Energy, Gov. Rick Scott, Government /

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

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Scott withdraws appointments to PSC, other enviro panels

1 Comment / Energy, Gov. Rick Scott, Government /

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

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