Misc

Artist’s rendering of proposed BG&E; plant in Gulf County. Nine bio-energy or ethanol projects are being proposed in Florida and at least five others are under discussion, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. DEP is holding an informational meeting Wednesday in Port St. Joe on one of those projects proposed by Biomass Gas […]

In a move that environmentalists said resolves their concerns, a state panel on Friday adopted a rule that would establish a new rankings process for determining which conservation lands should be bought. Florida’s land-buying program is the largest in the nation, with 2.4 million acres having been purchased since 1990. But the Legislature earlier this

Two Democratic senators today said they are proposing legislation to require creation of a new panel to look at the risks and benefits of drilling off of Florida’s coastline. Sen. David Aronberg of Greenacres and Sen. Ted Deutch of Boca Raton said environmental and energy experts need more time to look into the drilling issue,

TAMPA — Matt Mooney, 16, says dumpster-diving for aluminum cans isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. During the past three years, Mooney, a Junior at Land O’ Lakes High School, has collected 1.1 million cans, turning them into $15,000 cash. But he and his friends didn’t keep the money — it went to a local

A discussion among Florida House Democrats on oil drilling today featured some sharp exchanges between a leading environmental opponent an attorney representing drilling supporters. House Republicans last April overwhelmingly supported HB 1219, which would have allowed drilling within three miles of the Gulf Coast. Democrats led the opposition in the 70-43 vote. But the bill

A solar energy group’s support for offshore oil drilling is facing sharp criticism from environmentalists. Associated Industries of Florida, Associated Builders and Contractors and the Florida Petroleum Council are supporting offshore drilling, saying it would create jobs and royalties revenue for state coffers. Environmental groups say the claims are speculative and that drilling threatens the

Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson says he is seeking to intervene against a proposed federal court settlement that would require the U.S. Environmental Protection agency to set stricter limits on nutrients in state water bodies. Environmental groups announced in August that they had reached a settlement that requires the EPA to set numeric limits on

It looks like a sweetheart deal, though it’s not clear yet who in the Legislature helped set it up. A 436-acre parcel approved Tuesday by the Cabinet for purchase was the only one considered by the state under a $3.2-million special legislative appropriation for land acquisition. The governor and Cabinet without discussion agreed to pay

Jones, right, prepares to pose for a photo with Cabinet members today. Col. Julie Jones says there will continue to be a strong public safety “hook” as she leaves the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as its top law enforcement officer to take over as head of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and

Northwest Florida is a biological hotspot because it stands in the crossroads of different ecological areas and because of the Apalachicola River, Ecologist Bruce Means told a packed auditorium last week. Means, president and executive director of the Coastal Plains Institute and an adjunct professor at Florida State University, was honored by the Tallahassee Scientific