Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Staff ReportsNovember 15, 2016

Ryan Matthews will be the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s new deputy secretary for regulatory programs, responsible for air, water, and waste pollution programs and for overseeing the agency’s regulatory districts. The appointment, announced Tuesday by Secretary Jon Steverson, takes effect Wednesday. “Ryan brings a deep understanding of many of Florida’s most pressing water and environmental […]

Bruce RitchieApril 14, 2015

$3-31-15-ban-fracking-sign-1024x1024.jpg$

A bill that would regulate oil and gas hydraulic fracturing was amended by a Senate Committee on Tuesday to place a moratorium on the activity until after a study is completed 2016. Hydraulic fracturing, also known as “high-pressure well-stimulation” or “fracking,” is a process involving the use of water, sand and chemicals to extract oil and gas […]

Bruce RitchieApril 2, 2015

$3-31-15-ban-fracking-sign-1024x1024.jpg$

As lobbyist Stephanie Kunkel, representing the Conservancy of Southwest Florida and Clean Water Action, approached the podium on Tuesday to speak on a Senate oil and gas fracking bill, there was a murmur through the committee room packed with fracking opponents. “Sellout,” one man muttered before Kunkel started speaking. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida and […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 31, 2015

$3-31-15-ban-fracking-sign-1024x1024.jpg$

Bills dealing with oil and gas hydraulic fracturing in Florida passed their first Senate committee stop on Tuesday after a state environmental official said they would provide needed regulation for the industry. SB 1468 by Sen. Garrett Richter, a Republican from Naples, requires the state to develop rules for permitting “high-pressure well-stimulation,” which includes hydraulic […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 4, 2015

Pressed by legislators, a state environmental official said Wednesday she doesn’t expect Florida to forward to federal officials a plan for reducing carbon dioxide emissions without getting approval by the Legislature. President Barack Obama in 2014 issued his Clean Power Plan to reduce carbon emissions from power plants by 30 percent from 2005 levels. Industry […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 4, 2015

Pressed by legislators, a state environmental official said Wednesday she doesn’t expect Florida to forward to federal officials a plan for reducing carbon dioxide emissions without getting approval by the Legislature. President Barack Obama in 2014 issued his Clean Power Plan to reduce carbon emissions from power plants by 30 percent from 2005 levels. Industry […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 2, 2015

Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Jon Steverson is appointing Paula Cobb as Deputy Secretary for Regulatory Programs. Cobb, most recently Director of the Division of Air Resource Management, will supervise the regulatory districts of the Divisions of Air, Water and Waste. Her appointment is effective Jan. 5. “Paula’s strong command of business and regulatory […]

Tag: Paula Cobb

Ryan Matthews named deputy secretary at Florida DEP

Senate bill amended to ban fracking during study, rule-making

Enviro groups that support fracking bills thread the needle

Fracking bills pass Senate committee with DEP support

Florida DEP says Legislature will get shot at state’s carbon plan

Florida DEP says Legislature will get shot at state's carbon plan

Personnel note: Paula Cobb named DEP Deputy Secretary for Regulatory Programs