2010 archive

When the BP oil spill began following a rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20, researchers in Florida didn’t wait, says State University System Chancellor Frank Brogan. Instead, they began working to study the extent of the oil spill and the possible effects on the Gulf before they received any money from […]

A dispute between Gov. Charlie Crist and the Legislature over funding for a solar rebate program escalated Wednesday as House Speaker Larry Cretul suggested the governor’s administration had been “duping” applicants into believing they would receive checks. Crist sent Cretul and Senate President Jeff Atwater a letter on Tuesday saying he was disappointed the Legislative

The Florida Public Service Commission on Tuesday rejected energy conservation plans for three utilities after staff said they failed to meet the aggressive annual goals established by the commission. The utilities have 30 days to resubmit the plans. The PSC set the goals for seven utilities in December under the Florida Energy Efficiency and Conservation

Citing the unwillingness of local governments and the Legislature to address “serious shortcomings” in the state’s growth management process, 1000 Friends of Florida on Monday said it “refined” its position on the proposed Amendment 4 from “not supporting” to neutral. The measure, which is on the Nov. 2 general election ballot, would amend the Florida

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is developing criteria for agencies to use in deciding whether they want to get rid of conservation land following controversies over the Suwannee River Water Management District’s proposals to sell or exchange land. Florida has the largest conservation land-buying program in the nation with 2.4 million acres having been

The two candidates vying for the post of Agriculture Commissioner are both trying to maintain they would help Florida’s environment if elected. But GOP contender Adam Putnam’s two-page environmental policy paper released last week prompted a sly retort and denouncement from his Democratic opponent Scott Maddox. Putnam’s paper was thin on specifics. Yet asked whether

Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink spoke June 29 to the Clean Energy Congress in Tallahassee. A spokesman for Rick Scott, her Republican opponent for governor, said she was promoting “policies that will only cost more jobs.” Some renewable energy supporters who are backing Democrat Alex Sink for governor said Wednesday that her Republican opponent, Rick

Florida has joined federal authorities in extending the length of the red snapper fishing season in the Gulf of Mexico, partially addressing a contentious issue from earlier this year. “This is just what the doctor ordered and couldn’t have come at a better time to give a much-needed boost to our Gulf fishing communities that

Supporters of Amendment 4 say the Florida Chamber of Commerce, a major opponent of the proposed growth management measure, is encouraging employers to pressure their workers to join the opposition. Amendment 4 would require voter approval of changes to local comprehensive land use plans which say where development can occur. Supporters say the measure is

A new oil rig explosion off the Louisiana coast on Thursday led House Republicans and Democrats to trade accusations about oil drilling. The Mariner Energy production rig caught fire Thursday morning. Thirteen workers were rescued, one with injuries. There were reports of an oil sheen on the Gulf surface but it was unclear whether the