Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressMay 19, 2015

Residents of the Sunshine State are finding that harnessing Florida’s abundant solar power is no simple task. With its bounty of sunny days, Florida ranks third in the nation in rooftop solar energy potential but 13th in the amount of solar energy generated, according to industry estimates. The industry views Florida as a sleeping giant […]

Mitch PerryApril 14, 2015

On Monday, Pat Kemp made official what she has told anyone who asked since last November’s election – she is running again for a Hillsborough County Commission seat in 2016, this time in the District 6 countywide seat being vacated by Kevin Beckner, whose term ends next year. Florida Politics originally reported she would run […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorApril 1, 2015

The group Environment Florida has put a new face on the fight for clean water: beer. In order to draw increased attention to water-quality issues facing Floridians, the group held a clean water forum at 3 Daughters brewery in St. Peteresburg on Tuesday night. The evening’s keynote speaker was Jim Leonard, chemist and lab director […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorMarch 3, 2015

Progressive activists across the state are calling on the Florida Legislature to take up five key issues voted on by supporters of the group Progress Florida. During a rally Tuesday at Spa Beach near the downtown St. Pete Pier, about 20 activists announced their agenda, which includes increasing the minimum wage, expanding healthcare and Medicaid, […]

Bruce RitchieFebruary 4, 2015

Environmental and agriculture groups raised concerns on Wednesday with draft water bill language presented by a House committee but speakers on all sides praised the chamber for its comprehensive approach on the issue. The House State Affairs Committee language addresses pollution threats facing springs and Lake Okeechobee and the need for increased water supplies in […]

Bruce RitchieJanuary 20, 2015

Florida’s wildlife agency will request a rule change to allow black bear hunting in some areas because of bear attacks and other conflicts with people, state wildlife officials said Tuesday. Florida has at least 3,000 bears, up from around 500 in the 1950s. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in 1994 voted to make bear-hunting illegal […]

Mitch PerryDecember 6, 2014

For the longest time in Tallahassee, criticism regarding Florida’s Public Service Commission had been relegated to Democrats, environmental activist groups and editorial writers at Florida dailies – but its membership is growing larger by the day. In a split decision last week, the PSC voted to cut energy efficiency targets for investor-owned power companies and […]

Mitch PerryNovember 25, 2014

In a much anticipating hearing today, the Florida Public Service Commission today slashed energy efficiency goals for Duke Energy, TECO, Gulf Energy & Florida Power & Light on a 3-2 vote. They also voted to allow a pilot program for solar power to expire at the end next year, but said they intend to host […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 8, 2014

As a Hendry County commissioner and as a local business owner, I am disturbed by a Sierra Club representative’s remarks in a recent Palm Beach Post article. I am disturbed but not surprised at the complete disregard of the employment reality, and as usual the apparent assault on the U.S. Sugar/Sugar Hill Sector Plan — […]

Bruce RitchieJuly 17, 2014

If you wonder whether utility solar rebate programs for homeowners and businesses were popular, look at how quickly the rebates were snapped up. Florida Power & Light Co. paid $16.5 million in rebates between 2011 and 2013. Each time the program issued its maximum amount of reservations on the same day that applications opened, a […]

Tag: Sierra Club
Sen Rick Scott in Sarasota. Photo by Jacob Ogles.

“Sunshine State” or not, Florida badly behind on solar power

Pat Kemp says she’s the best Democrat in the Hillsborough County Commission District 6 seat

Environmentalists turn to craft beer to make clean water pitch

2015 Awake the State rallies take on quieter tone

All sides praise House water bill effort while raising concerns

State wildlife officials to request an end to ban on bear hunting

New conservative group fighting for solar power attacks recent PSC decisions

PSC kills solar pilot program for not being cost effective

Karson Turner: U.S. Sugar/Sugar Hill Sector Plan good for Hendry County

Bruce Ritchie: Despite popularity, utilities oppose solar rebate programs