2010 archive

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

A proposed committee bill by the House Energy & Utiltiies Committee would remove a barrier to the Babcock Ranch development in southwest Florida becoming the first solar city in the United States, a development spokeswoman said. PCB EUP6 allows utilities to petition the Public Service Commission for the recovery of costs for up to 735

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

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. Environmentalists on Thursday criticized portions of a proposed committee

A recycling bill that was described by its sponsor as being on life support two weeks ago has found new life in a proposed committee bill. Florida now recycles about 28 percent of its waste, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. HB 1559 by Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee, provides measures to implement