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Guest AuthorApril 27, 2015

The onshore oil and gas industry has been under heavy scrutiny during the 2015 legislative session, as Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples, and Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, have filed legislation to provide regulatory certainty to the state of Florida that will ensure this industry is appropriately regulated. This legislation, Senate Bill 1468 and House Bill 1205, […]

Bruce RitchieApril 27, 2015

A bill that Republicans said would clamp down on oil and gas hydraulic fracturing but some Democrats said would provide a welcome mat for the practice passed the House 82-34 on Monday. HB 1205, one of the most controversial environmental bills of the 2015 Legislative Session, passed the House largely along party lines. The Florida […]

Phil AmmannApril 27, 2015

A Lakeland hospice forced to close by the state over a paperwork error is near reopening by way of a bill passed last week by the Legislature. On Friday, both the Senate and House passed HB 441, giving Compassionate Care Hospice (CCH) on Drane Field Road access to an expedited process to reapply for its license. […]

Bruce RitchieApril 25, 2015

The House on Friday teed up a pair of bills dealing with oil and gas hydraulic fracturing after rejecting Democratic amendments to allow cities and counties to ban the practice. Hydraulic fracturing, also called “fracking,” involves pumping sand, water and chemicals underground to extract oil and gas. Environmentalists say the process threatens to contaminate groundwater […]

Peter SchorschApril 23, 2015

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We knew from the first day of Session that bills sponsored by Democrats that would impose a moratorium on “fracking” were DOA. But, Sen. Garrett Richter and Rep. Ray Rodrigues, along with the DEP, have developed common-sense legislation that strengthens regulations on the oil and gas industry. Let me repeat that, they want to REGULATE the […]

Phil AmmannApril 20, 2015

A Lakeland hospice threatened with closing by the state, could be saved by a bill making its way through the Legislature. On Tuesday, Estero Republican Rep. Ray Rodrigues will introduce an amendment to HB 441, with legislative language to help Compassionate Care Hospice on Drane Field Road to continue serving terminally ill patients. This year, the […]

Bruce RitchieApril 14, 2015

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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 RitchieMarch 30, 2015

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An amendment filed Monday — and later withdrawn — by the chairman of a Senate committee would have placed a ban on state permits for oil and gas fracking until a study of the practice can be completed in 2016. SB 1468 by Sen. Garrett Richter, a Republican from Bradenton, requires the state to develop […]

Phil AmmannMarch 27, 2015

House Energy & Utility Subcommittee Chairman Dane Eagle is thanking fellow committee members for their efforts during the 2015 Legislative Session. This week, the committee held its final meeting of the 60-day session. Among the issues addressed this session include House Bill 7109, the Public Service Commission reform bill designed and passed by Eagle’s committee. […]

Phil AmmannMarch 27, 2015

House Energy & Utility Subcommittee Chairman Dane Eagle is thanking fellow committee members for their efforts during the 2015 Legislative Session. This week, the committee held its final meeting of the 60-day session. Among the issues addressed this session include House Bill 7109, the Public Service Commission reform bill designed and passed by Eagle’s committee. […]

Tag: Ray Rodrigues

Brewster Bevis: Ignore 'fracking' charge; support commonsense oil & gas regulations

Fracking regulation bill passes House but records bill stalls

Bill to reopen Lakeland hospice goes to governor’s desk

House rejects bill amendments to allow local bans or referendums on fracking

Democrats whip votes AGAINST more regs on the oil and gas industry

Amended House bill may save Lakeland hospice

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

Senate committee chair seeks to ban fracking during study

Dane Eagle praises work of Energy & Utility Subcommittee in 2015

Dane Eagle praises work of Energy & Utility Subcommittee in 2015