Author name: bruce

By Bruce Ritchie The nationwide economic downturn is causing Florida’s population growth to drop significantly this year and in coming years, population experts say. Florida every year since 1990 has added the equivalent of Miami’s population — about 395,000 people, legislative staffer Amy Baker told House members last week. But that annual population growth rate […]

By Bruce Ritchie Gov. Charlie Crist on Monday voiced support for state legislation intended to protect Florida’s springs, saying they’re an important part of the state’s tourism economy. The Tampa Tribune Monday published an editorial urging support for a bill filed by Sen. Lee Constantine, R-Altamonte Springs, that would established “protection zones” around four Florida

By Bruce Ritchie Florida’s top environmental official is praising Progress Energy for an agreement with the state to retire two coal-fired power plants at its Crystal River plant after another proposed nuclear plant has been operating, possibly in 2020. But a leading environmentalist is only giving the agreement a B-plus grade because it doesn’t promote

By Bruce Ritchie Cutting the budget of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services budget by 10 percent would have a “devastating impact” on his department and state residents, Charles Bronson, Florida’s elected agriculture commissioner, said Tuesday. Legislative leaders and Gov. Charlie Crist have asked agencies to outline 10-percent spending cuts for next year

By Bruce Ritchie The South Florida Water Management District board today voted 4-3 to acquire more than 180,000 acres of agricultural land for Everglades restoration from the United States Sugar Corp., contingent upon an amendment to the negotiated purchase and sale contract. According to the district, the state will buy the land for $1.34 billion.

By Bruce Ritchie Floridians could reduce summer peak energy demand equivalent to the output of more than 10 new nuclear power units, according to preliminary study results presented Monday to the Florida Public Service Commission. The Itron consulting group of Oakland, Ca., analyzed the technical potential of various energy conservation alternatives. The consultants said summer

By Bruce Ritchie Gov. Charlie Crist Monday night sent a letter to members of the South Florida Water Management District board urging them to support the proposed purchase of 180,000 acres from the U.S. Sugar Corp. The district board is scheduled to hear testimony on the purchase and vote on the matter today. In a

By Bruce Ritchie A state panel today recommended adding more than 24,000 acres in five counties to the state list of proposed conservation purchases. The proposals come at a time when the state is struggling with a nearly $2.3 billion revenue shortfall in this year’s budget. The 2008-09 budget includes $300 million for purchases under

By Bruce Ritchie The controversy over a proposed biomass gas electric plant in Tallahassee may reveal a flaw in the land-use planning process for state facilities and universities. More than 150 people on Wednesday attended a City Commission public hearing related to Florida State University’s master plan, which includes 21 acres for the plant where

Sen. Mike Bennett By Bruce Ritchie Disputes between Florida’s largest water-management districts and utilities spilled over into the Senate Tuesday as the chairman of the Committee on Community Affairs vowed more scrutiny of the districts. Some city water utilities are at odds with the three largest water-management districts — South Florida, Southwest Florida and St.