FRUGAL DUCHESS

A second look at vampire power

My recent column on vampire energy -- also known as standby power -- generated well-deserved heat. Standby ...

EVERGLADES

Contaminated fields could add millions to Everglades cleanup cost

Contamination in sugar fields, though typical, could add tens of millions of dollars in cleanup costs to a ...

Drought-tolerant palms also need to survive the rainy season

Office Depot riding Europe's green wave

For the past five years, office supply giant Office Depot has trumpeted green initiatives to environmentall...

FLORIDA WILDLIFE

Night of the iguana lucrative for Broward trappers

Trappers prowl the canals of South Florida in search of iguanas to capture and sell. But Broward County com...

Miami rides a green wave toward a 'bike friendly' city

Miami leaders have ambitious plans to turn the city into a bicycle-friendly metropolis. They start with Bik...

Thin rooftop panels help house produce its own power

Flexible, thin film solar panels offer increased efficiency, better hurricane resistance and can be install...

AGRICULTURE

Unexpected bidder makes buyout offer for U.S. Sugar

A surprise new bidder for U.S. Sugar could complicate the state's plans to buy farms for Everglades restora...

ENERGY

Some wind, solar energy viable in Florida

A new report highlighted the potential of some types of wind and solar-powered energy sources in the state ...

Report: Some solar, wind powers viable sources of energy

The first draft of a report commissioned by state regulators says one kind of solar power and off-shore win...

FPL Energy hopes to expand wind farm

(AP) -- FPL Energy is looking to expand a wind farm north of Helix, Ore., and increase its energy-generatin...

U.S. Sugar sees the future in plant waste: ethanol

From sugar on the table to fuel in cars -- U.S. Sugar eyes stalks and leaves as an alternative energy source.

UTILITIES

Expect FPL savings, then a jolt

FPL customers will save $1.57 a month starting in January but are likely to get a rate hike in 2010 that wo...

U.S. Sugar sees the future in plant waste: ethanol

From sugar on the table to fuel in cars -- U.S. Sugar eyes stalks and leaves as an alternative energy source.

Hurricane Paloma dissolves, is no longer a threat

After a destructive passage over the Caymans and Cuba, Hurricane Paloma quickly weakened below storm streng...

High School sports chat today at 1 p.m.

A trifecta of dry air, shear and land defeated Hurricane Paloma

At its peak on Saturday, Hurricane Paloma was a rip-roaring Category 4 monster, tearing off roofs in the Ca...

WEATHER

Hurricane Paloma batters south-central coast of Cuba

After battering the Cayman Islands, Hurricane Paloma made landfall in southern Cuba on Saturday night, slam...

Paloma's fury batters Cayman Islands, aims at Cuba

Hours after battering the Cayman Islands, Hurricane Paloma, now a Category 3, made landfall in southern Cub...

HURRICANE SEASON

Hurricane Paloma nears Cayman Islands

Tropical Storm Paloma grew to hurricane strength Thursday evening as it passed over the warm Caribbean wate...

Hurricane Paloma strengthens to 3, batters Caymans

The Cayman Islands and Cuba prepared for direct hits from Hurricane Paloma, now a major Category 3 storm.