Misc

The Florida Public Service Commission is moving forward with rules to define prohibited “ex parte” communications. Bills to define such prohibited communications in commission failed to win legislative approval. The bills were offered in response to news reports last year of communications between commissioners’ staff and utility representatives during rate hearing requests. PSC staff told […]

A proposed biomass gas electric plant in Port St. Joe will be delayed by 18 months because of siting difficulties, according to Progress Energy. Biomass energy supporters say such plants will provide needed renewable energy in Florida. But several projects have been delayed or relocated because of various problems. The Florida Public Service Commission on

Gov. Charlie Crist toured the Gulf of Mexico oil spill again Tuesday while one federal official said the response effort had been given “the gift of time” with good weather. A leaking well from an oil rig that exploded on April 21 continues to pour what had been estimated at about 200,000 gallons per day

Gov. Charlie Crist said the Gulf oil spill provides a clear message about the need for renewable energy and he hinted that the topic could be included in a special session of the Legislature. The governor said the timing of the spill was “pretty extraordinary” considering that the Legislative session last week had bills dealing

A bill that supporters said would establish an innovative renewable energy program in Florida passed the Legislature, but another bill that would have encouraged utilities to buy more renewable energy failed. HB 7179 would establish the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program to allow local governments to finance renewable energy and storm-resistance improvements. There are

Florida House of Representatives A bill that provides a path for the state towards reaching a 75-percent recycling goal by 2020 was adopted by the Legislature Friday and is being sent to the governor. Florida now recycles about 28 percent of its waste, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The Legislature in 2008

Forecasted movement of oil spill shows it not reaching Florida through Monday. To view the image source, click here. Gov. Charlie Crist issued an emergency declaration Friday stating that the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico poses a major disaster threat to the Florida Panhandle. The explosion and sinking of the Deepwater Horizon oil

Florida has agreed to reduce the length of the red snapper season in state waters to match a federal measure to reduce the season’s length in federal waters. Red snapper is a key species for recreational and commercial anglers. Federal efforts to reduce overfishing of snapper and group have created a political outcry among Florida

Ichetuckneee Springs State Park A springs program launched in 2001 by then-Gov. Jeb Bush would be sharply cut by the Legislature in its proposed 2010-11 state budget even as the Senate on Thursday gave final approval to a bill aimed at protecting springs. The Florida Springs Initiative has helped pay for work including research to

The outlook for a Public Service Commission reform bill passing this legislative session doesn’t look good, Senate President Jeff Atwater said Thursday. And he added that passage of a renewable energy bill is in question. The 60-day legislative session ends Friday. SB 1034 would extend a ban on lobbying to top commission aides and provides