Topic: Biofuels

This week the House and Senate passed different versions of a state budget, the governor signs off on a "scorched earth" policy and a proposed overhaul of the Florida Retirement System is moving in the House.

Proponents executed a procedural move to buy extra time for SB 800. Meanwhile, DEP says it will likely spend only $110 million of the $125 million it received for petroleum contamination cleanups this year but plans to spend all of the $125 million it is requesting for next year.

The study commissioned by the National Wildlife Foundation and the Southern Environmental Law Center raises concerns about natural forests being converted into pine plantations to feed energy plants. The American Petroleum Institute touted another study showing Florida would receive $1 billion over an 18-year period from drilling off the Atlantic Coast. ... Related Research: Biomass energy study news release and report, and Atlantic coast drilling study news release and report.

The Associated Press reports that the "ethanol era has proven far more damaging to the environment than politicians promised and much worse than the government admits today." Rep. Matt Gaetz earlier this month filed HB 243, a House memorial that calls on Congress to repeal the federal renewable fuels production standard.

A 2010 law change expanded recycling to include waste-burning to produce energy. Now DEP is saying that recycling increased from 30 to 35 percent -- or to 48 percent with the inclusion of waste-to-energy plants. ... Related Research: HB 7243 (Environmental Control) from 2010; HB 7135 (Energy) from 2008; DEP's 2012 Municipal Solid Waste Annual Report; DEP's Recycling Recognition Program web page; and DEP press release including rankings by county.

Critics say gasoline containing ethanol still will be sold in Florida because of a federal ethanol production requirement. Bill supporters said government should not be mandating what fuels motorists have to buy. ... Related Research: Governor's Transmittal Letter for HB 4001, and April 16, 2013 Florida Biofuels and Bioenergy Association press release.

Cat colonies and coal ash, fracking and fertilizer. The 2013 legislative session was surprisingly active on the environmental front with old battles being waged and new issues emerging. Some issues will still be fought out in the weeks ahead as groups seek vetoes of bills that were passed. But compromise reigned on other issues as old adversaries united in the end to advance legislation.

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam set the stage for low expectations by not offering recommendations for energy legislation. But debate was expected on the 2006 nuclear cost recovery law after Progress Energy Florida, now Duke Energy, decided to shut down its crippled Crystal River nuclear plant. And who would have expected debate over "fracking" in Florida?

A 2008 energy law required gasoline sold in Florida to contain about 10 percent ethanol with a variety of exemptions, including for fuels sold for boats, small motors and collector vehicles.

HB 4001 passed 77-39 largely along party lines with a few exceptions. The bill squeaked through its only two committee stops with votes of 7-6 and 10-8 despite opposition from ethanol companies that said the legislation would send a bad message to investors.

SB 320 was rewritten on its last committee stop to replace an outright repeal with language saying fuel suppliers are "encouraged" to sell blended gasoline containing ethanol. "The words 'encourage' are really just very nice words," Sen. Jack Latvala said. "But they will not significantly change the current standards."

Consumer Energy Alliance and Florida Chamber of Commerce hold "Florida Energy 101 Briefing" in the Capitol with about a dozen House members attending. While hinting the state should reconsider its ban on oil drilling, the Consumer Energy Alliance says it is also sensitive to the "political realities" since the 2010 Gulf oil spill.