Author name: bruce

The new group opposing Amendment 4, the “Florida Hometown Democracy” amendment to the Florida Constitution, raised nearly $1 million in its first quarter of existence with most of its contributions coming from business and development interests. Voters statewide in November will be asked to decide whether the state will require referendums for changing local comprehensive […]

An amendment that would have removed language in state law directing the Florida Department of Health to consider requiring advanced septic tank systems in the Wekiva River basin was withdrawn Tuesday. The DOH last year proposed a rule that would have required homeowners in the area north of Orlando to upgrade their septic tanks before

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

Bald Point State Park With more than 100 land-buying projects facing a review and ranking by the state, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is encouraging project supporters to participate in a pair of public hearings over the next four weeks. DEP and the state Acquisition and Restoration Council have launched a new ranking process

A new report that models the risks of oil drilling in state waters in the Gulf of Mexico says oil spills are unlikely to pose a major threat to Florida. The House Select Policy Council on Strategic & Economic Planning is scheduled to meet Wednesday to hold another in a series of workshops on oil

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

Two groups that have raised concerns about a water bill introduced by Sen. Lee Constantine have announced their plans to hold a water forum in June. Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) and the Florida Section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) have announced they are holding the first Florida Water Forum on June 4

Officials from NASA and Florida Power & Light Company Thursday commissioned FPL’s Space Coast Next Generation Solar Energy Center. The solar power facility is located at Kennedy Space Center and is producing an estimated 10 megawatts of power, which is enough energy to serve 1,100 homes. A proposed House committee bill that attempts to expand

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.

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