Author name: bruce

PSC approves Gulf Power conservation plan after initial rejection

Conservation, Energy, Utilities /

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 […]

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Another top Florida DEP official is on the way out

3 Comments / FDEP, Gov. Rick Scott, Government /

The resignation of another top staffer has been accepted at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, creating another high-level vacancy under new DEP Secretary Herschel Vinyard. Janet Llewellyn, director of the Division of Water Resource Management, was told Friday that her resignation had been accepted, according to sources outside of the agency. Resignations were requested

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Lawsuit says pesticides threaten Florida wildlife species

Forests & Agriculture, Misc, Wildlife /

Two national environmental groups on Thursday filed a lawsuit claiming that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency had failed to consult with wildlife agencies on regulating pesticides that are harmful to endangered species, including the Florida panther. The lawsuit, filed in San Francisco by the Center for Biological Diversity and the Pesticide Action Network, cites the

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Century Commission says it should develop Florida strategic plan

2011 Legislature, Growth Management, Misc /

The Century Commission for a Sustainable Florida says it wants to help Florida develop a strategic plan as suggested by Gov. Rick Scott. Scott in November told the Florida Council of 100 that the state “lacks a sufficiently focused strategic plan,” according to a copy of a prepared speech. The Century Commission for a Sustainable

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Septic tanks inspection delay becomes law without signature

2011 Legislature, Gov. Rick Scott, Government, Legislation, Misc, Pollution, Water /

Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday allowed a bill to become law that delays a statewide inspection requirement for septic tanks. The inspection requirement was in SB 550, which then-Gov. Charlie Crist signed in June with support that included the Sierra Club Florida and the Florida Home Builders Association. Supporters said the requirement would protect public

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Cabinet confirms Vinyard to DEP post; Eight top vacancies remain

FDEP, Gov. Rick Scott, Government /

New Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Herschel Vinyard, a former shipyard executive, was confirmed by the Cabinet Wednesday. Vinyard thanked Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet for the opportunity to serve the state. He takes over a department that lost eight senior staff members last month when the Scott administration accepted their resignations. Vinyard,

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Scott: We “clearly need” better growth management

2 Comments / Energy, Gov. Rick Scott, Government, Growth, Growth Management /

Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday said he supports growth management but says it needs to be improved. Scott was among several Cabinet officials and legislative leaders along with U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., who spoke at the Associated Press Florida Legislative Planning Session in the Capitol. They answered questions on a wide range of topics.

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Bill would prevent Florida from implementing federal water standards

2011 Legislature, Federal Agencies, Government, Pollution, Water /

A bill introduced by the chairman of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee would ban the state from implementing new federal water quality criteria that were adopted in November. Utilities, industries and agricultural groups say the numeric standards will cost billions of dollars to comply with. But an attorney representing environmental groups says

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House panel may reconsider firey water issue

1 Comment / 2011 Legislature, Conservation, Government, Water, Water Supply /

The chairman of the new House Select Committee on Water Policy said Thursday that the state’s “local sources first” policy that discourages water pipelines will be reviewed along with the role of water-management districts. But she also said doing away with districts in favor of a statewide water agency would be “crazy.” One of the

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