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Popular Utilities and Energy Bills
HB 0579 Natural Gas Motor Fuel
SB 1472 Nuclear and Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle Power Plants
SB 0948 Water Supply
SB 0560 Natural Gas Motor Fuel
HB 4001 Florida Renewable Fuel Standard Act
SB 0364 Consumptive Use Permits for Development of Alternative Water Supplies
SB 0244 Water Management Districts
HB 0109 Consumptive Use Permits for Development of Alternative Water Supplies
HB 0375 Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems
HB 1083 Underground Natural Gas Storage
Utilities and Energy Bills On The Move
HB 0855 South Indian River Water Control District, Palm Beach County
HOUSE Enrolled Text (ER) Filed
SB 1594 Guaranteed Energy, Water, and Wastewater Performance Savings Contracting Act
SENATE Enrolled Text (ER) Filed
HB 0633 Biodiesel Fuel
HOUSE Enrolled Text (ER) Filed
HB 0979 Fort Pierce Farms Water Control District, St. Lucie County
HOUSE Enrolled Text (ER) Filed
SB 0364 Consumptive Use Permits for Development of Alternative Water Supplies
SENATE Enrolled Text (ER) Filed
SB 0934 Stormwater Management Permits
SENATE Enrolled Text (ER) Filed
HB 0147 Governing Board of Southwest Florida Water Management District
HOUSE Withdrawn prior to introduction
HB 0309 Renewable Energy Producers
HOUSE Died in Energy & Utilities Subcommittee
HB 0579 Natural Gas Motor Fuel
HOUSE Enrolled Text (ER) Filed
HB 0733 Government-Owned Utilities
HOUSE Died in Energy & Utilities Subcommittee

Topic: Oil Drilling

2013 Session Summary: Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture

 
by LobbyTools - 2 weeks ago - +
Cat colonies and coal ash, fracking and fertilizer. The 2013 legislative session was surprisingly active on the environmental front with old battles being waged and new issues emerging. Some issues will still be fought out in the weeks ahead as groups seek vetoes of bills that were passed. But compromise reigned on other issues as old adversaries united in the end to advance legislation.

2013 Session Summary: Utilities and Energy

by LobbyTools - 2 weeks ago - +
Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam set the stage for low expectations by not offering recommendations for energy legislation. But debate was expected on the 2006 nuclear cost recovery law after Progress Energy Florida, now Duke Energy, decided to shut down its crippled Crystal River nuclear plant. And who would have expected debate over "fracking" in Florida?

Once unopposed, fracking bills gain opposition as they move in House

by Bruce Ritchie - 2 months ago - +
Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Fort Myers, on March 7 speaks to the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee about his bills dealing with hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. Photo by Bruce Ritchie. HB 743 directs the Department of Environmental Protection to establish a registry for the use of fracking chemicals and HB 745 establishes an exemption for trade secrets. Environmental groups are concerned that the bills could encourage fracking and pose a threat to groundwater and drinking water supplies. ... Related Research: News releases and studied concerning fracking.

Consumer Energy Alliance nudges legislators on oil drilling, energy issues

by Bruce Ritchie - 3 months ago - +
Michael Zehr, vice president of the Consumer Energy Alliance in Washington, D.C., speaks to a briefing audience that included about a dozen House members at the Florida Capitol. Photo by Bruce Ritchie. Consumer Energy Alliance and Florida Chamber of Commerce hold "Florida Energy 101 Briefing" in the Capitol with about a dozen House members attending. While hinting the state should reconsider its ban on oil drilling, the Consumer Energy Alliance says it is also sensitive to the "political realities" since the 2010 Gulf oil spill.

Bills dealing with controversial oil and gas 'fracking' to be heard Thursday

by Bruce Ritchie - 3 months ago - +
Concerns have been raised about groundwater contamination and air pollution from hydraulic fracturing. After reports of interest in fracking in Southwest Florida, Rep. Ray Rodrigues introduced legislation to require DEP to establish a registry of fracking chemicals. ... Related Research: "Hydraulic Fracturing and Safe Drinking Water Act Regulatory Issues," by the Congressional Research Service, and article "The Horizontal Cometh" from Oil and Gas Investor Magazine.

2013 Session Outlook: Environment and Natural Resources

by Bruce Ritchie - 3 months ago - +
Everglades restoration, environmental permitting and alternative water supplies are expected to be hot topics this session. Audubon Florida's Eric Draper says environmentalists need to get out of their defensive mode and learn to educate legislators.

Bill that would allow oil drilling in state forest is withdrawn

by Bruce Ritchie - 3 months ago - +
Rep. Doug Broxon said misinformation about the bill forces withdrawal of HB 431. The bill would was designed to encourage oil drilling in the Blackwater River State Forest, where drilling has occurred in the past. ... Related Research: Rep. Broxson news release on withdrawing HB 431, and text of two related bills.

Session Outlook: Utilities and Energy

by Bruce Ritchie - 3 months ago - +
Interest in broad energy legislation seems to be waning but the 2006 nuclear cost recovery law is likely to be a hot topic.

Bill to encourage oil drilling filed again in House

by Bruce Ritchie - 4 months ago - +
Last year legislation encouraging companies to explore and drill for oil on state lands died amid environmental opposition. This year, HB 431 would limit drilling to Blackwater River State Forest in the Panhandle.

Week in Review for Jan. 7 to Jan. 11

by Florida Current Staff - 5 months ago - +
This week we learned that a bill was filed that would allow landowners to acquire adjacent state land without paying for it, how politicians and parties spent money near the end of the latest races, that lawmakers are ready to disburse $45 million to the Florida Housing Finance Corp. and that Gov. Rick Scott wants to completely end sales tax for manufacturing equipment.

Scott maintains narrow view on water, energy issues

by Bruce Ritchie - 5 months ago - +
On Friday, Gov. Rick Scott said he wants DEP to look at Florida's springs and that he wants to ensure the flow of natural gas to the state is not interrupted. Photo by Bill Prescott. During an interview with The Florida Current staff, the governor was asked to lay out his legislative agenda on a variety of issues. Scott said he has asked DEP to look at Florida's springs and that he's concerned about disrupting the flow of natural gas to the state. ... Related Research: DEO report on state economic development climate, SFWMD's Everglades website, and December's Everglades restoration program update.

Military task force report identifies challenges, strategies to keeping military bases

by Bruce Ritchie - 7 months ago - +
A gun crew begins to inspect their M119A2 howitzer at Camp Blanding. Florida officials worry that federal cuts in the military budget could cost Florida jobs. Photo from U.S. Army Florida's 20 military installations provide a $60-billion economic impact and contributed 686,000 jobs. The updated strategic plan from the Florida Defense Support Task Force recommends against oil drilling and exploration that could affect military missions in the Gulf of Mexico and raises concerns about development around some military bases. ... Related Research: The Florida Defense Support Task Force updated strategic plan and a related letter.

Counties balk against governor's suggestion to appoint some oil spill consortium members

by Bruce Ritchie - 8 months ago - +
The Florida Association of Counties said the governor suggested that he name seven and pick the chairman of the Gulf Consortium, which consists of 21 coastal counties. "I think to add seven people and bring them in from other counties that are not on the Gulf coast, I see a tremendously divisive situation being created," Monroe County Commissioner George Neugent said.

Utilities say they are not worried about electric cars -- for now

by Bruce Ritchie - 9 months ago - +
Florida Power & Light Co. says its Nissan LEAF is fueled by electricity at the equivalent cost of 77 cents per gallon of gasoline. Photo by Bruce Ritchie. The Florida Public Service Commission held a workshop Thursday on electric vehicle charging stations and their potential effects on energy consumption and Florida's electric grid. Utility representatives said they don't think electric cars pose a threat to the grid now, but the size and location of charging stations could be a future concern. ... Related Research: The electric vehicle charging workshop presentation from the Florida Public Service Commission.

Ag Commissioner Putnam calls for continued energy policy conversation during Orlando summit

by Bruce Ritchie - 10 months ago - +

Q&A with: Patrick J. Sheehan

by Bruce Ritchie - 10 months ago - +

Judge allows Gulf oil spill settlement to proceed

by Aggregation Desk - 14 months ago - +

Gov. Scott signs 'jobs package' with business tax breaks

by Gray Rohrer - 15 months ago - +

2012 session summary: Energy and Utilities

by Bruce Ritchie - 16 months ago - +

2012 session summary: Environment and Natural Resources

by Bruce Ritchie - 16 months ago - +
2013 Session Summaries

Budget & Taxes

Economic Development

Education

Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture

Ethics and Elections

Gaming

Health Care

Insurance

Law Enforcement and Justice

Real Estate and Growth Management

State and Local Administration

Utilities and Energy

Popular Utilities and Energy News
Oil industry eyes South Florida again
(Miami Herald)
Legislator asks Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam to study costs of nuclear vs. natural gas
(Tampa Bay Times)
Florida House rejects attempts to repeal nuclear fees
(Miami Herald)
Duke Energy rolls out new logo in Florida
(Tampa Bay Business Journal)
FPL plant goes into production
(Florida Today)
Legislators In The News
Rep Will W. Weatherford
Rep Will W. Weatherford
(R Wesley Chapel)
Sen Alan Hays
Sen Alan Hays
(R Umatilla)
Sen Don Gaetz (D)
Sen Don Gaetz (D)
(R Niceville)
Rep Karen Castor Dentel
Rep Karen Castor Dentel
(D Maitland)
Sen Aaron Bean
Sen Aaron Bean
(R )
Sen Geraldine F. Thompson
Sen Geraldine F. Thompson
(D )
Rep Elaine Schwartz
Rep Elaine Schwartz
(D Hollywood)
Rep Lori Berman
Rep Lori Berman
(D Lantana)
Rep Jimmie T. Smith (J)
Rep Jimmie T. Smith (J)
(R Inverness)
Rep Ben Albritton
Rep Ben Albritton
(R Wauchula)