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A single candidate scores interview for DEP top job: Noah Valenstein

in Statewide by

Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet will interview a single candidate for the vacant secretary slot at the Department of Environmental Regulation ā€” Noah Valenstein, a former environmental aide to the governor. His was the only name put forward for an interview during a meeting of aides to the governor and Cabinet Wednesday morning. ā€œThe governor would like to schedule an interview with Noah Valenstein,ā€ Scott aide Kristin Olson said. ā€œIf thereā€™s anybody else that any other principal would like…

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Donald Trump takes aim at Barack Obama’s efforts to curb global warming

in 2017 by

Moving forward with a campaign pledge to unravel former President Barack Obama‘s sweeping plan to curb global warming, President Donald Trump will sign an executive order Tuesday that will suspend, rescind or flag for review more than a half-dozen measures in an effort to boost domestic energy production in the form of fossil fuels. As part of the roll-back, Trump will initiate a review of the Clean Power Plan, which restricts greenhouse gas emissions at coal-fired power plants. The regulation,…

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State claims Tampa tire recycling firm operating illegally

in Local Courts/Top Headlines by

Floridaā€™s Department of Environmental Protection is going after a Tampa company for illegally running a tire recycling business. Incorporated in 2012, Green Wizard Tire Recyclers LLC ā€” at 3515 E. Columbus Dr. in Tampa ā€” is led by operating manager/secretary Warren Donald Friton and vice-operating manager/treasurer Edward ā€œEdā€ Beauchaine. Green Wizardā€™s 2016 annual report lists Tampa resident Beachaine as president. According to the DEP, Green Wizard Tire Recyclers never operated fully within the law, despite the agency saying it gave…

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Senate committee passes bill allowing free state park access to foster families

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Legislation requiring the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to give free access to the state’s parks for foster families was passed by legislators Wednesday. The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Environment and Natural Resources unanimously passed bill, CS-SB 64, sponsored by Sen. Aaron Bean, would waive, or offer discounted entry, into all state parks for specified and adoptive families. The Division of Recreation and Parks within the DEP would come up with uniform documentation standards for such families to enjoy…

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Florence Snyder: Ain’t no Sunshine where Scott’s gone

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

Just in time for Sunshine Week, Tampa Bay Times environmental reporter Craig Pittman reminds us how focused, how ruthless, how relentless Gov. Rick Scottā€™s flacks are in their taxpayer-financed efforts to keep information out of the hands of taxpayers. Floridaā€™s Ministries of Disinformation have been around since the Chiles administration, but ā€œparanoia about the pressā€ has ramped up significantly on Scottā€™s watch. Hereā€™s how Connie Bersok, who devoted 30 years of her life to protecting Floridaā€™s fragile wetlands, described current…

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DEP responds to House records request, defends payment of legal bills

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

The state’s Department of Environmental Protection on Friday night released its responseĀ to the House of Representatives’ request for documentation of the legal billing in a longstandingĀ river water use fight against Georgia. Interim DEP Secretary Ryan Matthews also sent a letter, saying his agency had “denied more than $3 million in expenses and hourly charges submitted by outside counsel.” A cursory review of the records shows not only invoices for legal fees but also, for example, a $272,000 contract between DEP…

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Rick Scott not bothered by Jon Steverson’s departure

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

Gov. Rick Scott suggested he wasn’t bothered by one of his agency heads overseeing the flow of millions of dollars to a law firm that he’s now going to work for. Scott spoke to reporters after Tuesday’s Florida Cabinet meeting. “We have people that come to work for the state and they work hard,” Scott told reporters. “And (then) they find opportunities. That’s just part of the process.” Jon Steverson, secretary of theĀ Department of Environmental Protection, quit last Friday, reportedly…

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