Misc

A bill by Sen. Mike Fasano to require that communications between Public Service Commission members and regulated utilities be posted publicly was approved today by a Senate committee. Fasano, R-New Port Richey, introduced SB 1034 after the news media last fall revealed numerous contacts between commissioners and Florida Power & Light Co. representatives during hearings […]

In a report released today, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection backed off an earlier draft recommendation to ban disposable shopping bags. The Legislature in 2008 directed DEP to issue recommendations on regulating plastic and paper bags and banned local governments from adopting regulations. DEP in October released a draft report that called for banning

Venus purse anemone on a patch of Lophelia coral at 2500 feet deep in the Gulf of Mexico. Scientists’ lack of understanding about the complex relationships between marine organisms should be considered in the debate about oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, Florida State University researchers said today. FSU is holding its second symposium

Some healthy streams and preserved streams in state parks and forests apparently won’t meet new federal criteria for nitrogen and phosphorus, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Jan. 15 proposed numeric nutrient criteria for springs, rivers and lakes in Florida. The specific criteria replace Florida’s narrative standard

A supporter of the “Florida Hometown Democracy” amendment is expressing surprise at state CFO Alex Sink’s opposition to the measure. Amendment 4, which is on the ballot in November, would require voter approval of changes to local comprehensive growth plans. Supporters say the measure will help rein in growth and reduce developers’ influence over local

Gov. Charlie Crist today paired environmental spending with education as both being necessary investments for moving Florida forward in tough economic times. Crist’s $69.2-billion budget recommendation for 2010-11 includes $50 million for Everglades restoration and $50 million for the Florida Forever land-buying program, which received no money last year for the first time since 1990.

A state hearing officer late Wednesday issued a recommended order favoring International Paper and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in a challenge to DEP’s proposed permit for the company’s paper mill near Contanment in Escambia County.DEP had proposed a permit requiring the company to remove its discharge pipe from upper Eleven Mile Creek and

Rep. Dean Cannon, chairman of a House council that is holding hearings on whether to allow oil drilling within 10 miles of Florida’s Gulf coast, said today that he isn’t interested in who’s behind the firm that’s been pushing for drilling legislation. Drilling supporter say Florida waters should be opened to energy production to boost

A coalition of industry groups, utilities and other regulated interests is calling on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to provide the detailed science behind its proposed phosphorus and nitrogen limits for Florida lakes, springs and rivers. After announcing its proposal earlier this month, the EPA this week formally published the specific limits that it says

Gov. Charlie Crist speaks to journalists at the Capitol The three major candidates for governor today largely rejected the idea of allowing drilling off Florida’s Gulf coast during remarks at the 2010 Associated Press Legislative Planning Session at the Capitol. Attorney General Bill McCollum, running as a Republican, said an oil spill like the one