FLORIDA'S SEAFOOD SAFETY: The State of Florida EPA, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and other Elected officials, Seafood Safety Experts and The People of the State of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, HBO, the BBC and the Press

From: Trisha Springstead <trishaspringstead@gmail.com>

Date: Wed, Aug 28, 2013 at 5:49 PM

Subject: Fwd: Florida's seafood safety Amended Version Final

To: The State of Florida EPA, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and other Elected officials, Seafood Safety Experts and The People of the State of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, HBO, the BBC and the Press

To Whom it May Concern:   

In light of a Committee that was put together for independent testing, I am going to have to officially disagree with your stance on the Safety of the Gulf and the Seafood. Did the State of Florida really believe that they were going to receive the truth after BP funded all of the Studies including the National Institute of Health?  It is unfortunate that the NIH study is going to take 10 years because we do not have 10 years.  Corexit does not correct anything,  it is an Orwellian term that has a number of politicians very deluded. 

Unfortunately Corexit combined with Oil has some very dangerous effects as you will see by the attached report.  

BP has paid 600 million in Advertising to Lie to the American public and to you.

NOAA used the incorrect equipment when sampling and the people do not trust the State of Florida, to look at the fishing problem and the health of the People of the Gulf.

I have supplied the information, in the link below:

http://lmrk.org/lmrk-news-feed/lean-members-and-technical-advisor-publish-scientific-paper-about-bp-spill-contamination/

You may also wish to read the most current articles from Dr Wilma Subra, Dr Riki Ott, the Louisiana Environmental Action Network,  the Earth Organization and the  the brave scientists who took the time to really test the waters appropriately.

We went over the NOAA research and it was skewed, unfortunately they used the wrong products to put sampling into and did not use the correct equipment. 

You may also wish to contact University of Florida and read their latest report on the Oil in Sediment in Tampa Bay, per the Tampa Bay Times and the article by Craig Pittman:

http://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/water/oil-from-bp-spill-was-pushed-onto-shelf-off-tampa-bay-by-underwater/2137406

I have samples from Franklin County and Eastpoint. Until the State of Florida admits there is a problem, we will continue with independent research.  The health of the people are at stake and so is tourism. It also appears that our Governor is not doing his job adequately. I am one of thousands of people in Florida who are against Big Oil; we have solutions for clean up and there are alternative fuels that can be instituted very easily. Our Governor Rick Scott has not been enforcing EPA standards and has a history of not being environmentally friendly.    

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/aug/29/group-reports-environmental-laws-not-enforced-unde/ .

It appears that the study you cited was incorrect here is the correct link:

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ToxProfiles/tp123.pdf

.060 PPM is the baseline.

I am including the following link: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ToxProfiles/tp123.pdf This document, entitled Toxicological Profile for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) is the only, definitive, peer-reviewed study we have been able to find, after over 200 hours of search during the past 4 months, which firmly establishes the threshold levels of components of crude oil that adversely affect human health.  VOC's adverse threshold level to human health is clearly determined in this 1999 EPA report. The report unambiguously states that the adverse threshold for PAH’s to human health through ingestion is 0.06 ppm (mg/kg) and for benzene (betx) is .01 ppm (mg/kg).  

It also appears that the Gulf of Mexico was Recklessly reopened to fishing and all of the links are on this blog:

http://gosrc.wordpress.com/2013/08/16/government-recklessly-reopens-fisheries-in-the-gulf/

Attached is a health study and Sorensens paper on the Effects of 2 Butoxyethanol which was sprayed all over the Gulf in the aftermath of the worlds largest oil Spill on Record. 

In Florida alone I have had hundreds reporting to me on illnesses just by getting in the water, Vibrio Cholera and Flesh Eating Bacteria are becoming pervasive as well as other signs and symptoms. If this is not addressed it is going to bankrupt our system and hospitals should be put on alert as to what to look for.

I do not want to argue, I just want you to please wake up and realize that the Seafood is not safe and that we must work together on this issue.   I am working with other independent scientists. After you receive  this email,  I am asking that you schedule a face to face meeting here in Florida with the People and Myself. 

On a separate note Now the Government officials want to frack Naples,  same toxicity and same poor outcome. 

I do have 2 attorneys working with me on this critical situation. I do not intend to sue anyone,  nor have I filed any claims against BP.     

Lastly, the people  that I work with want solutions and we can provide solutions but only if you admit that there is a problem, which there is. My Colleagues  Nurses,  Doctors, Scientists,  Fishermen and People who are impacted by this Oil Spill, here in Florida need to have a face to face meeting with our elected officials because I can tell you we are beginning to feel as if many of our elected officials are neglecting the people and not looking at the Human Component, nor do we feel compassion from the EPA, the State of Florida and our elected officials in regards to the People of the Gulf.  

Unfortunately,  all the meetings and my talk before the Pensacola task force yielded very little but a Cursory "Thank You." and be on your way. This is not the attitude that I would think our government would appreciate from the people nor do we the people appreciate this attitude from our officials.

Attached are a jpg, President Obama's statement (which we have not held him to) The final packet that went to DC on Oil Spill Related Illnesses and Symptoms of Oil Spill Related Illnesses. 

Unfortunately it took an Independent Panel of Scientists to prove that the First Gulf War Syndrome was real and caused by Chemicals much the same as people are being subjected to in the Gulf.  We pray it will not have to require and independent panel of Scientists to prove that harm has been done to our people and our precious Gulf of Mexico.    

You will see that some fine people contributed to this and it really is time that we begin using the correct procedures for sampling our water and not only our seafood.  

Most Sincerely, 

Patricia Springstead RN

Crystal River, Florida

352-794-6716

WISE WOMEN MEDIA for 8/23/13--Two Amazing Women, Deb Kelley and Kimberly McCuiston

We broadcast at 10PM EST tonight.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/here-be-monsters/2013/08/24/wise-woman-media--anita-stewart

Go to the same link if you want to join us in the CHAT ROOM during the LIVE BROADCAST tonight or if you want to hear an archive of the show at a later time. The archive of the show is available forever.

Call in number is: (213) 816-0357

Two amazing women in an amazing show tonight! 

We salute Deb Kelley and her work with Veterans and the creation of an event taking place in Tampa soon, LIFE AMPLIFIED on September 14th, 2013. SEE MORE about this event and how you can get involved at the site here: LIFE AMPLIFIED SHOWCASE.

From Deb:

As a reporter for Patch for three years, I wrote about incredible women like Carissa Caricato, founder ofHoola for Happiness; Connie Rose, Victims2Survivors; Natasha Nascimento, Redefining Refuge, Kellie Lightbourn, Teen Edge, and Kim Kenney, Secret Tampa Cash Mob. These women saw an opportunity to make a difference and just did so.

Life Amplified was born out a desire of wanting to do more than write about inspirational women; I wanted to do something. Though through my graphic/web design and copywriting company, The WriteOne Creative Services, I regularly donate services to local nonprofits, but I knew I could make a larger impact.

With the generous venue sponsorship by Tampa Pitcher Show, I created Life Amplified in late 2012 to showcase spoken word poets and it grew into a talent showcase with poets, singers, dancers and comedians.

After its successful debut in January 2013, I decided to make the showcase a regular event - keeping the name Life Amplified and choosing a timely platform/theme and worthy charity to receive a portion of the proceeds of each event.

The inaugural show opened with me as the emcee and 2 singers, 9 poets, a comedian/impressionist and a mind-reader. The platform was human trafficking awareness benefiting Redefining Refuge. My second show in May Life Amplified STOPH8 focused on bully-prevention, had 19 acts, UAA recording star Mikel Soulhop headlining and TV personality Kelly Lightbourn hosting, benefiting Teen Edge.

Initially, it took 3 months to get 9 performers for January’s Life Amplified and just with me as the emcee, 90 days to get 19 performers for May’s Life Amplified. It took less than 3 days to overflow September’s roster. Considering I use social media to advertise this 100 percent volunteer event and Life Amplified has only existed for 8 months, that’s pretty spectacular.

Life Amplified has grown by leaps and bounds. People mistakenly think that Life Amplified is a nonprofit, but it’s not. Like the women who inspired me, I’m just a person in the community who took action to help a worthy organization and suddenly, it transformed into something more than I ever expected. I believe in karma and ‘Pay It Forward.’ If you can use your abilities to help someone, whether a person or an organization in need, really, what’s holding you back?

With more variety than ever, the September charity benefit Life Amplified SALUTES, a military appreciation event, will feature 24 acts including poets, singers, dancers and comedians – from an 8 year old comedian and 9 year old rapper to talented singing senior citizens. I have comedianSomeGuyNamedFrank emceeing, improv comedy troupe Nine and Numb headlining and special intermission planned. 

Life Amplified SALUTES will entertain, honor our soldiers and veterans, and fundraise for K-9s for Veterans who provide ADA-certified service dogs without cost to veterans with visible and invisible disabilities including PTSD and traumatic brain injury. Founder Mike Halley, a Vietnam Vet, often digs into his own pocket to keep the doors open. To me this is unacceptable. There is an entire community surrounding him, an entire country relying on his free service. Someone needs to step up.

In addition to the outstanding entertainment at this family-friendly showcase, Life Amplified SALUTES will have a raffle and silent auction, featuring donations from 31 sponsors ranging from MOSI, Busch Gardens, Old McMicky’s Farm, Carrollwood Cultural Center to gift certificates for beauty, health and wellness, marketing  services, photography, wine tasting, massage, SEO service, pet supplies, and even a psychic reading. A portion of the $8 online/$10 door ticket price and all proceeds raised from the raffle and silent auction will go directly to K-9s for Veterans.

Producing Life Amplified has been one of the most incredible and rewarding experiences I’ve ever had. Pending the success of Life Amplified SALUTES, I hope to do my fourth showcase January 2014 for the Crisis Center’s Take Back the Night, Life Amplified METAMORPHOSIS.

 Our second guest is Kimberly McCuiston.

Kimberly is a Mother, Grandmother and Activist on the Alabama Gulf Coast. She is the Co-founder of the Community Action Group Alabama Coast United. She is also a Survivor of the BP Oil Disaster and is currently fighting the Tar Sand Agenda in Alabama.

 She will be speaking to us about the impact of the Gulf Oil Spill over 3 years ago and how that weighs in with toxic effects, health, in the Gulf Region. 

She will give us updates on policy, leadership, organizational aspects, direct actions and what will come next. She will also reveal info about the Tar Sands industries using Mobile, AL as a main hub for their activities.

Be sure to visit us on FACEBOOK and on TWITTER!

Read the entire PDF file: FRACKING THE FUTURE!

GO TO THE FOLLOWING LINK TO CONNECT:
http://www.desmogblog.com/fracking-the-future/

Growing Louisiana Sinkhole Swallowing Trees, Blamed On Industrial Activity

Growing Louisiana Sinkhole Swallowing Trees, Blamed On Industrial Activity (via Desmogblog)

New video filmed in Bayou Corne, Louisiana by the Assumption Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness shows the latest "slough in" at an ongoing sinkhole sucking in whole trees. The toxic sinkhole was discovered by a resident on August 3rd, 2012. At…

---

Gulf Spill Sampling Questioned

U.S. Coast Guard, via Reuters

Fireboat crews battling a blaze at the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico, off Louisiana, on April 21, 2010, a day after the rig exploded, killing 11 workers and resulting in the blowout of an exploratory well owned by BP. Ultimately, roughly 200 million gallons of crude oil gushed into the gulf.

By HENRY FOUNTAIN

Published: August 19, 2013

An analysis of water, sediment and seafood samples taken in 2010 during and after the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has found higher contamination levels in some cases than previous studies by federal agencies did, casting doubt on some of the earlier sampling methods.

See the whole article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/20/science/earth/new-analysis-of-gulf-oil-spill.html

AUSTRALIAN REPORT: Gulf of Mexico Waters Made Toxic with Corexit + Crude Are KILLING PEOPLE!

Australian Report on the Flora and Fauna and the Human Impact and Health Catastrophe happening in our Gulf Region, RIGHT NOW!

We already know the Gulf of Mexico is a toxic soup and animals are dying in massive kill offs.
But this is happening to people too.

This show will not be broadcasted here in the United States because our GOVERNMENT IS LYING about the SICK AND DYING! And our government is in bed with BP and other BIG OIL companies.

WATCH AND FORWARD:
AUSTRALIAN 60 MINUTES:
http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8706910

FLORIDIANS MUST WATCH THIS!!!
Especially before you hit the beaches or eat the seafood!

Wise Women Media for August 16, 2013--SPOTLIGHTING VETERANS IN TAMPA WITH ANDREA ASSAF

WE BROADCAST AT 10PM EST! 

GO TO THE FOLLOWING LINK TO GET TO THE SHOW, CHAT ROOM OR ARCHIVES:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/here-be-monsters/2013/08/17/wise-woman-media--anita-stewart

Andrea Assaf is a theatre director, writer, performer, and cultural organizer.  She’s the founding Artistic Director of Art2Action Inc. and a consultant with the Arts & Democracy Project. She's also the director of a new play, “Speed Killed My Cousin” by Linda Parris-Bailey and the Carpetbag Theatre, about an African American woman veteran who returns from Iraq with PTSD. Andrea has a Masters degree in Performance Studies from NYU, and serves on the board of several national arts organizations, including Alternate ROOTS and CAATA (the Consortium of Asian American Theatres & Artists) and the International Management Committee of WPI (Women Playwrights International). She's also a member of RAWI (Radius of Arab American Writers). 

Andrea’s Organization, Art2Action Inc. and the Sacred Grounds Coffee House are pleased to announce a new creative space for Veterans, families, caregivers and allies in the Tampa Bay area:  a MONTHLY Veterans' Open Mic on the1st Sunday of every month from 6:30-9pm @ Sacred Grounds (4819 E. Busch Blvd., Tampa).  Beginning September 1, 2013 veteran’s issues and experiences will take center stage!  First time on the mic? Seasoned poet, musician or storyteller? Just want to listen? No problem! Your level of involvement is what you want it to be, no pressure. Sacred Grounds is committed to providing a safe, respectful, welcoming & positive community environment for all. FREE admission and 1 coffee/tea minimum.  (No firearms, weapons, alcohol or controlled substances allowed on the premises for these events.)

A link to info and a video clip of the show, Speed Killed My Cousin:

http://www.usaprojects.org/showcase/speed_killed_my_cousin

60 MINUTES in AUSTRALIA ON OIL SPILLS AND THE USE OF COREXIT--TRAILER

MEDIA ADVISORY from PRESERVE OUR PARADISE--NO FRACKING in the EVERGLADES

MEDIA ADVISORY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Karen Dwyer, Ph.D. 

508-847-6992 

dwyerka@gmail.com 

http://www.facebook.com/preserveourparadise

http://www.preserveourparadise.org

FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE LINK: https://www.facebook.com/events/581706661871668/

IN LIGHT OF RECENT EVENTS AND AS A SHOW OF SOLIDARITY, WE’RE INVITING EVERYONE TO MARCH TO THE GOVERNOR’S HOUSE WITH THEIR OWN CONCERNS: THE ST. LUCIE RIVER CRISIS, DREAM DEFENDERS, FARMWORKER JUSTICE, IMMIGRATION REFORM, EDUCATION CUTS AND MORE. WE’RE STRONGEST WHEN WE UNITE. 

MARCH TO GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT’S HOME TO STOP EXPANSION OF OIL DRILLING IN SOUTH FLORIDA

If it’s legal, it shouldn’t be.  Residents draw the line against backyard oil drilling near Florida Panther National Refuge and protected wetlands and call on Governor Rick Scott to tell the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to deny the permit.

NAPLES, FL—Saturday, August 31, citizens will turn up the heat in a march to Governor Rick Scott’s home to stop the expansion of oil drilling in South Florida.  Collier Resources owns 800,000 acres of mineral rights and is a major player in the resurgence of Florida oil drilling.  Collier recently leased 115,000 acres for oil exploration to Dan A. Hughes, who early in May, applied for state permits to set up an industrial drilling operation in Golden Gate Estates.  The proposed site is only 1000 feet from family homes and adjacent to the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge and Western Everglades.  Although it’s legal, it shouldn’t be.  New oil drilling will contribute to environmentally damaging climate change as well as endanger residents, water, wetlands, and wildlife.

Citizens are calling on Collier to live up to its century-old reputation as “stewards of the land” and step back from new oil drilling.  Collier claims drilling can be done in an “environmentally sensitive fashion,” but nothing is environmentally friendly about placing families in an emergency evacuation zone, next to a hazardous, unsightly, large-scale industrial drill site, with an injection well, 5-acre cement pad, and 145’ oil rig.[1] 

Moreover the drill site and entire lease area is one of the most ecologically sensitive areas of the nation.  It is surrounded—east, south, west, and north—by a vast array of wetlands.[2]  These public lands, acquired at great cost, protect native and often rare plants and animals as well as safeguard vital watersheds.  Consider the Everglades National Park, directly downstream.  Congress authorized a 30-year Everglades Restoration Plan.  Why allow oil drilling to endanger that $10 billion dollar project dedicated solely to restoring the South Florida ecosystem? 

Others fear the federally endangered Florida panther (approximately 100 remaining) won’t survive further habitat loss.  The Western Everglades south of the Caloosahatchee River is the only remaining home for this beleaguered species that struggles to survive on 5% of its former range.  The drill site gets extensive use from panthers since it lies adjacent to the Panther Refuge.[3]  No amount of mitigation can offset the negative impact of losing more panther habitat.  Once the Florida panther is extinct, we can’t call it back.

Participants want to save South Florida from another Deep Water Horizon—with its long chain of documented misjudgments, operational failings, and oversight mistakes.  They want to protect the aquifers that supply South Florida with its drinking water and save the watersheds that sustain wetlands.  “It’s about our water,” they say.  Accidents happen.  And over time, pipes leak.  And injected chemicals migrate.[4]  One accident could ruin aquifers and wetlands for generations to come.  The risks are too great and benefits, too small.[5]  Oil drilling is not in the public interest.

Governor Scott’s support of the oil industry[6] has fueled a resurgence of oil drilling in Naples, his hometown.  Citizens will protest by land and by sea, marching and paddling from the Naples Pier to the Governor’s beachfront home.  Banners and flags will spell out concerns:  Outlaw Oil Wells Next to Homes; Oil Drilling Isn’t Safe; Don’t Mess with Everglades Oil; Save Our Stonecrabs; Oil, Not Worth a Panther’s Whisker, Fossil Fuel is so Dinosaur, Go Solar; Collier Oil Goes Overseas; It’s About Our Water.  In the Governor’s backyard, we’ll build an oil rig to make visible why residents don’t want backyard oil drilling.  Since the DEP answers to Governor Scott, we’re calling on him to tell the state to deny the permit.  Closing with a candlelight vigil, we’ll invite everyone, from legislators to land barons, to partner with us in preserving South Florida.[7]

WHAT: March to Governor Rick Scott’s Home to Stop Expansion of Oil Drilling in South Florida

WHO: Concerned residents and citizens, Preserve Our Paradise, Stone Crab Alliance

WHERE: Meet on beach at Naples Fishing Pier, 25^th 12^th Ave. S., Naples, FL  34012.  March on beach to 3150 Gordon Drive in Old Naples, Gulf of Mexico beachfront.            

WHEN: Saturday, August 31, 5:00-8:00PM

***VISUALS: Signs/New Banners/Flags/Armbands/Kayaks/Bamboo Oil Well/Red Tag/Candles ***

[1] Other concerns highlighted in previous events, include public safety, emergency evacuation, fire hazards, oil and toxic brine spills, heavy traffic danger to school children, risk to water levels of adjacent wetlands, industrial noise, and declining property values.

[2] The Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge lies to the east, the Belle Meade Tracts to the west, the Picayune Strand State Forest to the south, and the Fakahatchee Strand State Park to the southeast.  The Camp Keais Strand also connects the area to the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed (CREW Lands) and the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary to the north.  See, Matthew Schwartz, South Florida Wildlands Association Public Comments to DEP, June 30, 2013.

[3] Although the application states, “The Well location does not contain habitat for federal or state listed wildlife species. . . . No listed species have been observed on-site”—this is incorrect. A report by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) documents an actual panther observation inside the proposed drill site and telemetry charts of collared panthers provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) show a high level of panther activity.  This alone, should trigger consultations from the agencies responsible for protecting endangered species: the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the FWC.  The panther is also an “umbrella species,” and protection of the panther’s habitat protects numerous state and federally listed plants and animals. See, Schwartz.  Also, Jaime Duran, who lives 1000 feet from the proposed drill site, reports that the gentleman that leases the proposed drill site to raise cattle said he loses a number of calves to panthers every year.  He accepts this as part of the risk of doing business in panther habitat. 

[4] See, Abrahm Lustgarten, “Injection Wells: the Poison Beneath Us,” ProPublica, June 21, 2012.

[5] New oil production in Florida is “likely to amount to a drop in the barrel compared to black gold booms that the controversial practice of ‘fracking’ has generated in once obscure sites in Texas, North Dakota and other states,” reports Curtis Morgan (Oil Industry Eyes South Florida Again, Sat. May 12, 2013).  Also, in the first informational meeting with the public at IFAS, Hank Kremer with Hughes Oil said that his company was a small Texas outfit and it would bring no jobs to the area and the oil would be transported in trucks to Ft. Lauderdale for overseas exportation.  

[6] In May, Governor Scott’s veto of H.B. 4001 caused the biofuel startup Algenol to suspend plans to build commercial scale facilities in Florida.  The same month, Scott vetoed the $7.5 million FGCU Innovative Hub/Renewable Energy Institute, foregoing another opportunity to jumpstart the state’s economy and support renewable energy rather than old technologies like oil and gas drilling. See also, Amanda Peterson Beadle, “Florida Gov. Rick Scott Supports Oil Drilling in the Everglades,” Climate Progress, Sept. 7, 2011.

[7] Please see Facebook Preserve Our Paradise to take action.  The DEP has received over 3500 signatures on a petition, and over 600 public comments; the public comment period is still open and the DEP has asked Hughes Oil to run a sonic log and take water samples.  A DEP decision could be made by September; residents will be notified at a Town Hall Meeting. Residents have called on federal, state, and local officials to urge the DEP to deny the permit.  Senator Dwight Bullard sent an official letter requesting the DEP deny the permit. 

####

The Art of Getting Paid to Build Power Plants Without Building Plants!

On August 1, Duke Energy announced that it was canceling its engineering and construction contracts for building a nuclear power complex in Florida's Levy County.  The upside is that these plants might never be built.  The downside is that Duke's ratepayers will likely be paying for them anyway. More downside is that money waisted on nuclear energy is at the expense of safe, clean, renewable energy alternatives we desperately need now.

Duke Energy Florida President Alex Glenn dispels the myth that this is the last we'll ever hear of these nuke plants.  In an Orlando Sentinel article he is quoted:  "License requirements, future energy needs, construction costs and other factors will determine whether Duke later revives the plant.  We continue to believe the Levy site is a viable option for future nuclear generation, and we want to keep that option open."  The article adds further that Duke will continue to seek a federal license and expects the NRC to award it in late 2014 or early 2015.

What makes this all worthwhile for Duke?  A Florida law called the Nuclear Cost Recovery Act gives FL's Public Service Commission the power to allow utilities to charge their customers ahead of time for preparing for and building nuclear power plants.  What's more, should the plants not be built, the utility does not have to return the money to its ratepayers!  So why should a utility bother to go to the trouble of actually building a nuclear plant, when it can get its customers to buy it for them, without building the plant, and without customers actually having an equity stake in the ghost plant!  Duke's Glenn clarified the subject with this classic double speak:  "It's an effective balance between moderating rate impacts on customers and providing clarity on recovery of investment." The question is, whose investment is being recovered by whom? Duke could recover as much as $1.47 billion in costs associated with its shuttered Levy County reactor in negotiations with regulators.

Duke's withdrawal raises questions about the feasibility of building nuclear power plants, and the waning enthusiasm for nuclear power amidst an economic downturn, especially with cheap frack gas coming on the scene. This draws closer attention to Florida Power & Light's plans to build two more nuclear plants at its Turkey Point site in South Miami-Dade on Biscayne Bay. Undeterred by Duke's experience, FPL continues to seek approval for its plants at the State and Federal level. There's little at risk when the early cost recovery law allows FPL to bill customers in advance for the multi billion dollar price tag.

The nuclear cost recovery law has gained notoriety, but pushback from some lawmakers has not been sufficient to repeal it. Republican state representative Mike Fasano, of New Port Richey, called the Duke deal "grand theft" in a recent Newsweek article. Fasano co-sponsored the failed legislation this year to reform the law.

The law gives cover for a modern version of the old selling the Brooklyn bridge swindle. In today's scenario there are no gullible suckers who voluntarily fork over their green in a preposterous scam, just hapless ratepayers who are extorted by a cartel of utilities and government regulators.  Adding insult to injury, there's not even a bridge!

Public energy policy has been too long in the grip of the fossil fuel and nuclear energy interests, in collusion with government regulators.  They have blatantly made a farce of any democratic pretensions we may have had.  The vast majority of citizens understand the environmental crisis the planet is facing, and understand that we cannot sacrifice our future for the sort term gains of private interests in outmoded, dangerous, costly and dirty energy technologies.  Even more egregious is that it comes at the expense of carbon-free, nuclear-free, clean, safe renewable energy technologies that even now can compete economically, are more secure from calamities of nature and man, and are ultimately more democratic.

The Green Party fully supports democratizing our energy policy, and creating a more secure, clean, safe and renewable energy paradigm for the future.  Florida is the Sunshine State. It could be leading the world in distributed rooftop solar, saving the planet and creating new green jobs! The technology is here, now!

Where to start? The Green Party demands that Florida's  Nuclear Cost Recovery Act be repealed, and that the utility industry be required to rebate to ratepayers any amounts collected for services not rendered!

SOLAR SI!  NUKES NO!

Steve Showen

Co-Chair Green Party of Florida

WISE WOMEN MEDIA for August 9, 2013--OPEN MIC CHECK!

#thetakeover at the Florida State Capitol with the Dream Defenders on July 26, 2013. Photo by Anita Stewart.

#thetakeover at the Florida State Capitol with the Dream Defenders on July 26, 2013. Photo by Anita Stewart.

Listen in, call in, or join our CHAT ROOM at the following link on BLOGTALKRADIO:

WISE WOMEN MEDIA. We broadcast at 10PM EST.

Check out the ARCHIVE of the show later at the same link if you cannot listen in to the LIVE BROADCAST.

Tonight will be an OPEN MIC CHECK. 

This was a huge week for news and we have so much to review and comment on. Please join us, check into our CHAT ROOM or call us to speak LIVE on any issue that you think is important. 

Some issues might be, TOXIC BEACHES, NO NUKES IN LEVY COUNTY, the Snowden Affair, the Dream Defenders and STAND YOUR GROUND, murder by the use of TASERS and so much more! We may have a guest or two and if we don't the guest will be YOU!

SEE YOU ON THE RADIO!