UTILITIES

PSC: Expand `clean energy'

The staff of the state's Public Service Commission has recommended redefining renewable energy to help meet a goal set by Gov. Charlie Crist.

PSC report extols virtues of nuclear energy

If Florida wants to meet the governor's stated goal of having 20 percent of all electrical power come from renewable energy by 2020, the cheapest and easiest way to do so is to change the definition of renewable to include nuclear and clean coal.

FPL's efforts to conserve power usage spark battle

The simplest way to battle global warming is to use less electricity. But that basic idea has produced a bitter battle between environmentalists and Florida Power & Light.

COVER STORY

Biomass fuels to the rescue?

Nobody loves biomass. When talk turns to global warming and the green movement, it's hardly ever mentioned. Biomass can be garbage (literally) or wood chips or sugar-cane remnants or grass.

EDITOR'S NOTE

Take Obama's conservation advice to heart

Yes, he was speaking to me. When Barack Obama announced his energy dream team last Monday, he urged a continued vigilance toward energy independence, conservation and innovation.

UTILITIES

FPL ordered to give $6 million refund to customers

State regulators said FPL customers should get a $1 credit after the utility charged them $6 million because a disgruntled worker drilled a hole in a pipe at a nuclear power plant.

FPL ordered to refund $6.2 million to customers

State regulators ordered Florida Power & Light to refund $6.2 million to its customers to cover the expenses caused by a disgruntled contract worker who drilled a hole in a pipe at the Turkey Point nuclear power plant.

Florida panel adopts California emission rules for new cars

A state commission is giving its approval to toughen emissions standards for new cars sold in Florida. The Environmental Regulation Commission voted 6-1 on Tuesday to adopt California's emissions rules as a way of lowering greenhouse gases, which some blame for global warming.

ENERGY

Solar power costlier for Florida than nuclear, report finds

A long-awaited report says solar power could be financially viable in Florida, but will be considerably more expensive than nuclear power.

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 restoration.

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 of Florida but also dismissed the viability of others.

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 wind have great potential as sources of renewable energy in Florida, but land-based wind and another kind of solar have almost no future in the state.

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-generating capacity by 100 megawatts.

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 would bring a typical homeowner's cost to $115 to $118 a month.

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.

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.

Bacardi settles pollution case with EPA

Bacardi reached an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection agency to settle charges regarding water pollution at its Puerto Rico operations.

UTILITIES

FPL seeks higher charges

FPL will ask state regulators for a 7 percent increase in electric bills starting in January -- even though fuel prices are falling.

Tri-Rail to begin running on bio-diesel

Tri-Rail will start operating on a much more environmentally friendly blend of bio-diesel, the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority announced Wednesday.