Florida’s solar energy rebate program ended Wednesday with a backlog of more than 11,000 applications totaling at least $41.6 million. Gov. Charlie Crist has hinted that a special session to address energy issues could be used to extend the program, which paid out $25 million in rebates between 2006 and 2009. The program, which paid […]

Chairman Nancy Argenziano and Commissioner Nathan A. Skop have been ousted from the Florida Public Service Commission, meaning that four of the commissioners who voted against utility rate hikes in January have been removed. The Public Service Commission Nominating Council met Wednesday morning in Tampa and voted with little discussion to interview 18 candidates other

The “Clean Energy Congress” concluded Tuesday in Tallahassee with a series of policy recommendations for reducing energy use and boosting renewable energy. With the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico as a backdrop, representatives from a variety of environmental and industry groups and agencies met in the Florida House chambers to develop energy

Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink on Tuesday told the “Clean Energy Congress” that renewable energy investors want “concrete hints” about policy and rules but she declined to say what new energy policies she supports. Sink, a Democratic candidate for governor, said she supports the new Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program, established by HB 7179,

With the Gulf oil spill threatening wildlife and coastal economies, federal officials are planning to relocate sea turtle hatchlings from the region to the Atlantic Ocean, the St. Petersburg Times reported Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Center for Biological Diversity said it is filing a federal lawsuit against BP and the U.S. Coast Guard for burning sea

Speakers at the Clean Energy Congress called for requiring more renewable energy and a special legislative session to deal with energy issues. Against the backdrop of the ongoing Gulf oil spill, more than 120 business owners, environmental activists and government officials participated in the gathering in the Florida House chambers. The Florida Business Network for

Statewide environmental groups are objecting to the Suwannee River Water Management District’s designation of “surplus” lands that could be sold and say they will ask Gov. Charlie Crist to intervene. Florida has the largest conservation land-buying program in the nation with 2.4 million acres having been purchased since 1990. Some legislators say the state has

Many people along the Gulf coast are affected by the ongoing BP oil spill, says Linda McCue of Tallahassee. On Saturday, she joined hands with about 15 of them at a Wakulla County beach in a quiet demonstration in support of the coastal environment against the effects of oil drilling. Other “Hands Across the Sand”

A divided state panel on Thursday refused to set aside $2 million towards a Citrus County conservation purchase that had been tucked deep inside the new state budget. Instead the board of the Florida Communities Trust would only agree to a much a smaller amount for the project that had the backing of Sen. Charlie

Expect oil to continue washing ashore on Florida’s beaches between Escambia and Walton counties, Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael Sole said Thursday. The state was expected to mobilize heavy equipment Thursday to clean up the beaches. But research by the University of South Florida suggests that such efforts can’t clean up all of