2010 archive

University of Florida botany students conduct a field trip along Prairie Creek in February The governor and Cabinet approved the purchase of a 506-acre addition to Paynes Prairie State Preserve State Park near Gainesville and a new Florida Forever conservation land-buying list. Florida Forever is the largest land-buying program in the nation, with 2.4 million […]

From the Florida Tribune A new report analyzing the potential of Florida’s forests to help produce electricity could raise further doubts aboutproposed state goals to increase renewable energy. The Legislature in 2008 adopted a comprehensive energy bill that directed state agencies to study the economic effects of providing financial incentives for biomass energy production from

Underground petroleum tanks are being replaced at a convenience store in Tallahassee. From the Florida Tribune: The chairmen of key House and Senate committees have filed bills that supporters hope could lead to the removal of hundreds or thousands of low-risk petroleum contamination sites from the state’s cleanup list. The two measures – HB 1385

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection won’t ask the Legislature to approve a proposed carbon cap-and-trade rule in the legislative session that began yesterday, according to DEP Secretary Michael Sole. Gov. Charlie Crist in 2007 directed DEP to develop a carbon emissions trading rule for electric utilities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that scientists say

Florida Energy Associates, one of the primary backers of the push to open Florida waters to oil drilling last year, recently trimmed its lobbying force to zero after having more than 30 last year. The House last year voted 70-43 to open Florida waters within three miles of the coast to drilling, but the bill

“Google this wacko environmental group named Earthjustice and learn a little bit about it. Sorry, I’m speaking honestly.” Rep. Dave Murzin, R-Pensacola, speaking Wednesday at The Florida Chamber of Commerce “Capitol Days” event in the House chambers. “In response to our detractors: My short answer is that there is nothing wacky at all about wanting

From the Daily Wrap by the Florida Tribune, posted at Lobbytools.com: A state panel’s draft report issued today takes on the major questions and concerns about allowing oil drilling off Florida’s coastline. The House last year passed HB 1219 to allow drilling as close as three miles to the coast but the measure wasn’t taken

From the Daily Wrap by the Florida Tribune, posted at Lobbytools.com: Rep. Dave Murzin on Wednesday told a Florida Chamber of Commerce audience that he still wants Florida Department of Community Affairs Secretary Tom Pelham to leave state government. Murzin, R-Pensacola, made headlines last year when, during debate on the SB 360 growth management bill,

Gov. Charlie Crist and the Cabinet on Wednesday approved a new purchase agreement for 134.74 acres in St. Lucie County from the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution Foundation. The purchase of land along Indian River Lagoon for $18 million was approved last May. But approval of a new purchase agreement was needed Wednesday because of uncertainty

A special land deal involving the Legislature, Florida Atlantic University and the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution Foundation goes back before the governor and Cabinet on Wednesday. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is requesting consideration of a new purchase agreement for 134.74 acres in St. Lucie County along Indian River Lagoon. With approval, the state