Author name: bruce

Scott’s inauguration speech raises concerns among some enviros

1 Comment / Advocacy, Conservation, Gov. Rick Scott, Government, Growth Management /

Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday vowed to create the “most favorable business climate in the world” in Florida and issued an executive order to suspend government rule-making. While not specifically blaming environmental permitting during his inauguration speech, he said regulation, taxation and litigation together form the “axis of unemployment.” “Unless they are approved, regulations grow […]

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Incoming governor Scott taps shipyard executive for Florida DEP post

FDEP, Gov. Rick Scott, Government /

Governor-elect Rick Scott on Monday named Jacksonville shipyard executive Herschel Vinyard Jr. to lead the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, calling him a man of “deep environmental knowledge and practical business experience.” Vinyard, who also served as a member of Scott’s economic development transition team, recently served as director of business operation for BAE Systems

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Outgoing PSC commissioner raises concerns about agency

Energy, Utilities /

Former Florida Public Service Commissioner Nathan Skop said Monday that the public should be concerned about the agency’s ability to be fair and impartial now that he and other reform-minded commissioners have been ousted. Skop’s final day in office was Jan. 1. He and then-PSC Chairwoman Nancy Argenziano were ousted in June when the PSC

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Expert: New Florida governor risks repeating past growth mistakes

2010 archive, Energy, Gov. Rick Scott, Government, Growth, Growth Management, Growth Management Law, Land-use Planning, Misc /

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

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Judge not pleased with Florida in Everglades case

2010 archive, Government, Misc, Pollution, Water /

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

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Attorneys defend court ordering Florida environmental groups to pay

Misc /

Attorneys for Martin County and two development firms are defending a state appeals court decision ordering environmental groups to pay for challenging a Martin County land-use decision. The 1st District Court of Appeal on Tuesday ordered 1000 Friends of Florida and the Martin County Conservation Alliance to pay attorneys’ fees for the Florida Department of

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Florida appeals court orders enviro groups to pay attorney fees

2010 archive, Development Battles, Energy, Growth, Growth Management, Misc /

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

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Florida PSC approves rate freeze for Florida Power & Light

2010 archive, Energy, Utilities /

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

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Cold weather pushes manatee deaths past last year’s record

2010 archive, Conservation, Wildlife /

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

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