Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonJune 11, 2016

The committee backing an amendment adding solar power rules to the state constitution spent more than $6.5 million on ad buys last month as contributions slowed to a trickle. According to the May report, Consumers for Smart Solar forked over more than three-quarters of its war chest to Virginia-based firm National Media Research, Planning and […]

Peter SchorschMay 6, 2016

On Wednesday, Robert Trigaux penned a column asking “three pointed questions” for Duke Energy in the fallout of a flat quarterly earnings report and its annual shareholder meeting in Charlotte, N.C. Trigaux prefaces his piece by proposing a mild winter is what brought lower demand for power – hence the softer earnings report. Next, he […]

Associated PressMarch 21, 2016

Duke Energy Corp. said Monday it is expanding its renewable energy from livestock waste, adding poop power to investments the country’s largest electric company has made in whirring wind turbines and acres of solar arrays. The Charlotte-based utility said it contracted with Carbon Cycle Energy, which will build and own a North Carolina plant that […]

Melissa RossMarch 8, 2016

Solar activists are crying foul about proposed changes to JEA’s net metering program. They’ll be airing their concerns at a community forum on solar Wednesday evening at Jacksonville University. The JEA board is considering whether to adopt reductions in the credit that is provided to customers who send power back to the grid through JEA’s net metering policy. Net […]

Kimberly DeFalcoFebruary 13, 2016

At the site of the future Manatee Solar Energy Center in Parrish, Florida Power & Light executives, environmentalists, state and local officials cheered as a groundbreaking ceremony significantly changed the dynamics of solar power in the Sunshine State. At 10:50 a.m. Thursday, FPL President and CEO Eric Silagy and Agricultural Commissioner Adam Putnam flipped the […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 18, 2016

The assault on Florida’s environment continues as a Senate committee last week approved a bill that would make it easier for petroleum companies to use fracking technology to extract oil and gas in the state. Lest we forget, the administration of Gov. Rick Scott has ordered the words “climate change” scrubbed from official speeches and […]

Phil AmmannOctober 22, 2015

Florida’s Chamber of Commerce is strongly criticizing the Solar Choice Amendment, the day the proposal passed a major legal hurdle. Mark Wilson, Florida Chamber president and CEO, denounced the amendment after its language was approved by the Florida Supreme Court Thursday afternoon. He said, as it stands, the proposal is “driven by special interests that […]

Melissa RossOctober 15, 2015

The natural gas pushback has begun. Hot on the heels of news that another public access compressed natural gas station has opened in North Florida, a new analysis is out suggesting that Florida is one of several states “relying too much on natural gas” rather than turning to renewable energy sources like wind or solar […]

Associated PressOctober 4, 2015

Duke Energy Florida wants to build a solar power facility in an Orlando suburb. The utility company said last week that it had filed permits to construct the Osceola Solar Facility by early 2016. It will be built on 17 acres in Kenansville. The construction of the Osceola County facility is part of an overall […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 14, 2015

Fundraising appears to have stalled for the committee backing an amendment making it easier for consumers to buy and sell solar power while donations to its industry-backed rival show no sign of slowing down. Floridians for Solar Choice brought in just $591 for August while it spent more than $135,000. That’s a major drop off […]

Tag: solar
An Azerbaijan Airlines plane that crashed in Khazakhstan Wednesday. Image via The Associated Press.

Consumers for Smart Solar forks over $6.5M in ad buys last month, contributions slow

Responding to Times reporter Robert Trigaux’s ‘three pointed questions’ for Duke Energy

Duke Energy signs deal to turn pig poop into electricity

Solar activists speak out about proposed changes to JEA net metering

FPL breaks ground on new solar power plants

Marc Yacht: State moves fracking regulation bill forward

Florida Chamber denounces Solar Choice Amendment after Supreme Court approves language

Email insights: Florida relies too much on natural gas, says Union of Concerned Scientists

Duke Energy wants to build Osceola County solar facility

Fundraising turns gloomy for Floridians for Solar Choice committee