Two months after outgoing Department of Community Affairs Secretary Tom Pelham determined that a 5,000-acre land use change in Volusia County was illegal, the DCA won Cabinet approval Tuesday for the development. Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet approved an order for the proposed “Restoration” development on 5,187 acres in Edgewater west of Interstate 95. […]
Cabinet agrees to reverse DCA stance on Volusia development Read More »
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Gwen Keyes Fleming said Friday that investing in clean water is better than paying more to clean up dirty water and fight harmful algal blooms. She held introductory meetings with state and local officials in Tallahassee amid concerns about new federal water quality standards. Those proposed federal limits
EPA regional chief, responding to critics, says pollution prevention is good investment Read More »
The regional administrator from the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency today visits Tallahassee to meet with Florida officials and attend an event at Florida A&M; University. Gwen Keyes Fleming will have an introductory meeting with Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Herschel Vinyard, according to DEP. There’s no word on what they may talk about
EPA regional chief visits Tallahassee, may discuss water quality controversy Read More »
After hearing Gov. Rick Scott speak Tuesday during a visit to the Florida Department of Community affairs, department systems programmer Robab Fayazi said she remains worried about losing her job there. Scott was peppered with questions by employees at the department, which he is proposing to eliminate. DCA oversees local growth management decisions and it
Facing elimination, DCA employees question Gov. Rick Scott Read More »
House and Senate budget writers this week will be looking for ways to cut environmental agencies’ budgets after questioning some of Gov. Rick Scott’s own recommended 2011-12 budget cuts last week. Senate Budget Subcommittee on General Government Appropriations holds hearings Tuesday through Thursday. The House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee meets Tuesday and Wednesday
House, Senate to give closer scrutiny to budget this week Read More »
A bill filed by Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood, would eliminate Florida’s greenhouse gas emissions cap-and-trade program before one was ever adopted. Climate change and regulation of greenhouse gas emissions was a priority of Gov. Charlie Crist soon after he took office in 2007, but it dropped as a priority after 2008. Gov. Rick Scott, who
Senate bill would scrap Florida’s climate program Read More »
Gov. Rick Scott said Monday he plans to cut $1 billion in government spending over two years by consolidating and streamlining government including the Florida Department of Community Affairs. Scott’s plan — which included only a few details — would remove all regulatory functions from DCA and move them to other state agencies. Scott also
Scott plans realignment of Florida’s growth management agency Read More »
With the Public Service Commission next week holding hearings on revised charges for Florida Power & Light Co. customers, a Senate bill would eliminate a 2006 state law that allows utilities to charge for new nuclear plants even if they are never built. SB 200 by Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, would repeal a
Florida senator files bill targeting nuclear fees Read More »
Two national environmental groups on Thursday filed a lawsuit claiming that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency had failed to consult with wildlife agencies on regulating pesticides that are harmful to endangered species, including the Florida panther. The lawsuit, filed in San Francisco by the Center for Biological Diversity and the Pesticide Action Network, cites the
Lawsuit says pesticides threaten Florida wildlife species Read More »
The Century Commission for a Sustainable Florida says it wants to help Florida develop a strategic plan as suggested by Gov. Rick Scott. Scott in November told the Florida Council of 100 that the state “lacks a sufficiently focused strategic plan,” according to a copy of a prepared speech. The Century Commission for a Sustainable
Century Commission says it should develop Florida strategic plan Read More »
