Author name: bruce

Twenty-year-old deadline extended by bill amendment

A petroleum tanks cleanup bill in the House has been amended to extend the deadline for tank site owners to replace older tanks that could leak. In 1990, Gov. Bob Martinez and the Cabinet directed the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to require that petroleum tanks above ground and underground have secondary containment by 2010 […]

Twenty-year-old deadline extended by bill amendment Read More »

Energy efficiency + renewables = jobs, studies say

A pair of studies released Monday point to potential jobs created and cost savings for utility customers if Florida pursued aggressive policies to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. Georgia Tech and Duke University researchers, who released a report “Energy Efficiency in the South,” said adoption of nine energy efficient technologies and practices in Florida

Energy efficiency + renewables = jobs, studies say Read More »

Committee chair defends PSC reform bill

The chairman of a House committee that has proposed restructuring the Public Service Commission insisted Friday that agency needs to be revamped because of “volatility” in the regulatory environment. HB 7209 (formerly PCB EUP4) by the House Energy & Utilities Policy Committee would create a separate Office of Regulatory Staff under the Financial Services Commission.

Committee chair defends PSC reform bill Read More »

Louisiana oil spill cited by drilling opponents in Florida

Environmentalists are pointing to an oil spill this week in Louisiana as evidence the state and federal governments should not allow more offshore oil drilling. President Obama last week said his administration will allow exploration and drilling off the Atlantic coast of north Florida and within 125 miles of the Florida peninsula in the Gulf

Louisiana oil spill cited by drilling opponents in Florida Read More »

Ag bill now prohibits local fertilizer regulations

A Pinellas County ban on the sale of fertilizer in summer months has prompted a House committee to amend a bill to ban local governments from adopting fertilizer ordinances. The Pinellas County Commission in January approved the ban after researchers blamed nutrient runoff for polluting area waterways, requiring $30 million in repair projects, according to

Ag bill now prohibits local fertilizer regulations Read More »