Misc

The House Energy and Utilities Policy Committee on Wednesday voted to introduce a bill that would allow local governments to finance individual renewable-energy, conservation and wind-resistance projects at homes and businesses. Committee Republicans and Democrats alike praised the idea of the proposed “Property Assessed Clean Energy” program (PACE). Under the program, local governments can finance […]

Ichetucknee Springs State Park A Senate panel is recommending that the Legislature consider establishing local septic tank utilities across the state to protect water quality. Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-Palm Beach, established the Senate Select Committee on Florida’s Inland Waters in October and named Sen. Lee Constantine, R-Altamonte Springs, to chair it. The committee held

Coastal and Marine Resources Assessment Prototype States, industries and scientists should work together to plan for the management and use of natural resources in oceans, panelists at a Florida Oceans Day workshop said Wednesday. A proposal to allow oil drilling in state waters in the Gulf of Mexico is being crafted by the House Select

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