Category archives for: Planet Florida

U.S. Sugar Deal Spurs Questions, Legislation

With lawmakers already frustrated over a lack of oversight, recent reports on the state’s landmark $536 million Everglades agreement with U.S. Sugar Corp. may add momentum for a legislative response in an attempt to prevent a repeat of the controversial deal, a key House lawmaker said Monday.

Water, Water, Not Everywhere

As part of its Launch initiative, NASA today announced its first-ever water sustainability forum due to be held on March 16-18th. The forum, “Launch: Water,” which aims to identify proposed solutions to water shortages, will bring together entrepreneurs from around the world and representatives from business, policy, engineering, science, communications and sustainability sectors.

Obama Launches Space Debate

On April 15, President Barack Obama will visit Florida to host a White House Conference on the Administration’s new vision for America’s future in space, the White House said. The Conference comes against the backdrop of thousands of anticipated job loses owing to the shuttering of NASA’s Constellation program.

Report: U.S. Losing Clean Energy Jobs to China

A report released today has concluded that the U.S. needs to develop a comprehensive strategy capable of meeting the increased demands of a growing clean energy economy, while ensuring that federal clean energy investments create quality, high-paying jobs in the United States. Failure to do so, will see continued indirect subsidization of growth of those activities in low-wage countries such as China

An Open House with Superior Solar

Superior Solar panels

Our small contribution to solar energy doesn’t even make a dent in the energy crises but it’s a start. Over the past few weeks I discovered some interesting ways other states are tackling this issue and want to share with you all.

Florida Senate moves forward with Offshore Drilling

Despite the Senate’s seeming reluctance to lift a 20-year ban on offshore oil drilling in Florida waters, the first legislation on the subject was filed in the upper chamber. Meanwhile, House leaders said Monday that they would not be deterred by a report last week that found that drilling in Florida waters would “have no discernible impact” on gas prices or the nation’s dependence on foreign oil, even if it would pump millions into state coffers.

Martinez joins Board of Not-so-Clean Progress Energy

Former U.S. Senator “Mel” Martinez of Florida has been elected to the board of directors for Progress Energy, the company announced today. Progress Energy had the unenviable distinction of being ranked the 12th worst company for the environment in 2009, out of America’s 500 largest corporations, according to Newsweek.

OffShore Drilling could Pump Millions into State Coffers

A new report says drilling in Florida waters would “have no discernible impact” on gas prices or the nation’s dependence on foreign oil, but could pump millions into state coffers. The Senate-commissioned report by the Collins Center for Public Policy studied the potential impact of drilling in state waters within 10.3 miles of the Florida Gulf coast.

Legislators Delay Cleaning up Florida’s Polluted Water

As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency conducted its latest hearing on a tour of the state, fielding comments from central Florida residents, Representative Dave Murzin, R-Pensacola, said he has about 30 of his colleagues in the House on board for asking the agency to delay imposing tougher standards for Florida water pollution. The proposed standards, while not complete, have angered the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the state’s business community.

Florida Biologists work to rescue Distressed Manatees

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) biologists, partnered with other wildlife organizations over the week-end to rescue several manatees. Teams from the state’s manatee rescue network attempted to rescue 10 animals from different locations across the state, which were in varying degrees of distress.

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