Misc

With the economy on the rocks, industry lobbyists are urging the Florida Legislature to adopt proposals to “streamline” state and local permitting. But some senators and environmentalists say many of those proposals may be disguised efforts to roll back environmental protection. The Senate Committee on Environmental Preservation last week delayed action on one streamlining bill, […]

(File photo) A coalition of environmental groups and businesses today urged legislative leaders to take action on a proposed renewable energy requirement for utilities. The Public Service Commission is recommending that investor-owned utilities produce 20 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2020, a move that alliance members said would create jobs. A comprehensive

Today is “Oceans Day” at the Florida Capitol The Florida Oceans and Coastal Council will have displays in the Capitol rotunda from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The theme of this year’s Oceans Day is “Florida’s Ocean Assets in a Changing Climate and Economy,” according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The council is

A Senate committee today voted to support tougher automobile emission standards while a House committee went against environmentalists by voting to expedite drilling for oil in the Gulf of Mexico. Despite opposition from automobile manufacturers and farm and business groups, the Senate Committee on Environmental Preservation voted 6-0 to approve a bill that would adopt

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park By Bruce Ritchie Visitors to 58 Florida state parks could see closed gates three days a week under a budget-cutting proposal requested by Senate leaders. Facing possibly a $6.5 billion deficit in fiscal 2009-10, the Senate asked some state agencies to offer ways to cut their operating budgets 20

A bill that would require advanced septic systems and sewage treatment plants in counties with major springs was approved by a Senate committee on Tuesday. SB 274 by Sen. Lee Constantine, R-Altamonte Springs, was passed by the Senate Committee on Environmental Preservation and Conservation, which he chairs. The bill, which was substantially rewritten on Tuesday,

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is proposing what it says is the most comprehensive rule in the United States to protect freshwater turtles. In response to biologists’ concerns that turtles were being shipped to Asian markets for food, the agency staff is proposing a rule to ban the commercial take or sale of

A House committee today gave initial approval to a proposed bill that would abolish the Florida Department of Community Affairs, a move facing opposition from a coalition of environmental groups. The Military and Local Affairs Policy Committee voted 12-3 in support of the bill, which also would roll back roads and schools requirements for new

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist received a conservation achievement award from the National Wildlife Federation and the Florida Wildlife Federation. Crist was recognized for his role in conservation including encouraging the South Florida Water Management District’s recent approval of the purchase of 180,000 acres from the U.S. Sugar Corp. for Everglades restoration. During a ceremony at

By Bruce Ritchie Saying that renewable energy and system reliability together are a matter of national security, former CIA Director James Woolsey urged Florida legislators today to allow rules making it easier for renewable energy providers to make a profit. The existing power system is too sensitive to storms and could easily be damaged by