Gulf Power Turning To Oklahoma Wind For Power
February 12, 2015
Gulf Power Company is turning to the Oklahoma wind as a power source for Northwest Florida.
Wednesday, Gulf Power filed a petition asking the Florida Public Service Commission to approve an agreement that would make the utility a leading purchaser of wind generation among Florida utilities. The agreement would be the first of its kind in the state.
The project, called Kingfisher Wind, would be sited in Piedmont, OK, where conditions are favorable for wind energy.
“Kingfisher Wind will help Gulf Power add renewable generation that makes environmental and economic sense,” said Jeff Rogers, Corporate Communications manager. “Smart renewables, like Kingfisher Wind, are cost-effective for customers.”
With FPSC approval, the projected commercial operation date of Kingfisher Wind would be by December 31. The project includes 89 wind turbines and could supply 180 megawatts — enough energy to power approximately 50,700 homes per year.
“Kingfisher Wind, if approved, would represent approximately 5 percent of our projected energy mix,” said Rogers. “Wind power helps diversify the power supply and Kingfisher Wind is projected to provide lower overall energy costs.”
This wind project would be Gulf Power’s fifth renewable energy project following the Perdido Landfill Gas-to-Energy Facility, which has produced more than 100 million kilowatt hours of electricity since 2010, and three solar energy projects that will begin construction in February 2016 if approved by the FPSC.
Gulf Power announced in January that the utility is partnering with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force to build solar energy farms at three different facilities across Northwest Florida.
If approved by the FPSC, the solar energy farms will be constructed at Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach (30 megawatts), Holley Field in Navarre (40 megawatts) and Saufley Field in Pensacola (50 megawatts) and could be in service as early as December 2016.
“Adding alternative energy facilities to our energy portfolio mix takes a large amount of careful planning to ensure we provide our customers with what they want and need — renewable energy that diversifies our power supply while remaining cost-effective,” Rogers said.
Pictured: Turbines representative of the type that will be constructed for the Kingfisher Wind project if approved by the FPSC. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Critically Injured In Flomaton Bridge Crash
February 12, 2015
One person was critically injured in a three-vehicle crash on the Big Escambia Creek Bridge on Highway 31 in Flomaton just before 5:00 Wednesday afternoon.
A 40-year old woman was transported by ambulance as a “trauma alert” to the McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and then airlifted by LifeFlight to a Pensacola Hospital. Authorities said she was in the driver’s seat of a pickup that was either stopped or moving slowly with mechanical problems on the bridge. Two other vehicles were involved in the rear-end, chain reaction type crash. There were no other serious injuries reported.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fire Burns Across Several Yards, Threatens Structures
February 12, 2015
The cause of a fire that burned across several Cantonment backyards Wednesday afternoon is under investigation. The fire was reported in the 2200 block of Handy Road about 2:55 p.m. The fire reportedly reached at least four yards and posed a threat to several structures before being brought under control. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Controlled Burns Create Smoky Conditions
February 11, 2015
Controlled burns are created smoky conditions in some parts of the North Escambia area Wednesday afternoon.
There was a 15 acre burn just off Highway 97 on Pine Forest Road and a 65 acre burn off Highway 97A south of Occie Phillips Road. Smoke was also visible from several prescribed burns in Baldwin County and in Santa Rosa County. The largest fire planned in the area was about 1,000 acres near Garcon Point, south of I-10 near Milton.
Pictured: Smoke from a controlled burn off Highway 97 on Pine Forest Road late Wednesday morning as seen from Pine Forest Road (top) and Pelt Road (below). NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Hwy 97 Crash
February 11, 2015
There were no injuries in a two-vehicle accident on Highway 97 in Davisville Wednesday morning about a mile south of West Highway 4. A southbound vehicle apparently rear-ended another vehicle that had stopped or slowed in the roadway to make a turn. All occupants of both vehicles refused medical treatment at the scene. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge
$1.5 Million In HVAC Upgrades Planned For Northview High
February 11, 2015
On any given day at Northview High School, students can often be found sweltering in one classroom while students are freezing just down the hall. Heating and cooling problems have plagued the school for years, and now the Escambia County School District is set to make repairs.
Bids have been received to replace air handling units and variable air volume boxes in two buildings. Low bidder was The Wright Company, Inc for $496,630 for the building containing the gym and theater, and $1.087 million for the main education building. The improvements will be funded by half cent sales tax monies.
The Escambia County School Board is set to consider the project at their February 17 meeting.
Northview High School opened 20 years ago.
Group Makes Plans To ‘Reimagine Century’ In May
February 11, 2015
An organizational meeting was held Tuesday night to make plans for the second Reimagine Century event on May 16.
Organizer Linda English said the group is on a mission to serve those less fortunate — both their physical and spiritual needs. “It is an outreach, but it’s also a chance for the body of Christ to come together and reach those in the community,” she said.
The event will include a wide variety of activities, including a 15,000 pound food giveaway, health screenings, AIDS testing, diabetes information, live music, fishing lessons from Mission Fishin’, free manicures, a laundry detergent giveaway, information from community agencies, a clothing giveaway, free lunch, free haircuts, youth and teen activities and sports, a diaper giveaway and more.
About two dozen people, representing a variety of churches, businesses and community groups, attended Tuesday night’s organizational meeting. Interested persons are invited to attend the group’s next meeting on Tuesday, March 10 at 7 p.m. at the Century Community Center on West Highway 4.
Pictured top: Volunteers discuss Reimagine Century Tuesday night. Pictured inset: Organizer Linda English. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Escambia Men Sentenced To Federal Prison In Tax Fraud Scheme
February 11, 2015
Two Escambia County men were sentenced to federal prison Tuesday in a tax refund and identity theft scheme.
Andrey C. Cook, 34, and Richard J. Beverly II, 25, were sentenced by United States Senior District Court Judge Lacey Collier on charges of mail fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Cook, who worked in a group home for disabled patients, stole the personal identification information of the patients and gave it to Beverly in August 2013 for use in filing fraudulent tax returns. In exchange, Beverly agreed to give Cook a percentage of the refunds that were issued as a result of the fraudulent tax returns. Between 2012 and 2014, Beverly used the stolen identities of deceased persons, severely disabled people, and others, in an attempt to steal more than $265,000 from the United States Treasury, through the filing of at least 40 fraudulent tax returns.
Cook was sentenced to 12 months in prison and Beverly was sentenced to 102 months in prison. Beverly was also ordered to pay $87,783 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service. Cook was ordered to pay $10,682 in restitution.
Hazy Outlook For Medical Marijuana Legislation In Florida
February 11, 2015
Proposals by two Republican lawmakers to legalize medical marijuana have a slim chance of passing this legislative session, based on the comments of a Senate committee chairman who helps control the fate of that chamber’s measure.
Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, created a buzz on Tuesday when he filed a bill that would expand Florida’s limited medical marijuana law, approved last year but yet to be implemented.
Steube’s proposal (HB 683) would allow doctors to order medical marijuana for patients with certain conditions but would not allow the pot to be smoked, a concession to the Florida Sheriffs Association, which came out in opposition to a similar bill (SB 528) released two weeks ago by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg.
Both proposals would allow doctors to order medical marijuana for patients diagnosed with certain conditions, including cancer, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson’s disease and Crohn’s disease. But, unlike the Senate plan, Steube’s bill would not give doctors the leeway to order the pot for symptoms such as chronic pain or nausea.
Brandes said he would be willing to consider scaling back his proposal to align with Steube’s non-smokable version. Florida voters in November narrowly rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that would have legalized medical marijuana, including the smokable form.
“I think it (Steube’s proposal) is a great first step. I’m excited that we’re going to have this discussion in the Legislature and not a take-it-or-leave-it offer in the Constitution,” Brandes said.
Even Steube’s narrower version, however, may be on life support before getting an initial hearing in either chamber.
Lawmakers last year legalized cannabis that is low in euphoria-inducing tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, and high in cannabadiol, or CBD, for patients who suffer from severe spasms or cancer. Under the law, Department of Health officials were supposed to have selected five entities to grow, process and distribute the low-THC substance by Jan. 1.
But, because of a legal challenge, the regulations setting up the framework for the state’s new pot industry are months away from going into effect, and patients may not be able to purchase the product until the fall.
Brandes’ proposal is slated to be considered first by the Senate Regulated Industries Committee. But Chairman Rob Bradley, who sponsored last year’s marijuana measure (SB 1030), isn’t a fan of the broader bills now on tap.
“I’m of the school of thought that we need to allow this issue to naturally unfold by making sure that we crawl before we walk and walk before we run,” Bradley, R-Fleming Island, told The News Service of Florida on Tuesday. “I want to see 1030 (last year’s measure) get implemented. And then let’s see what works and what doesn’t with regard to the bill that we’ve already passed.”
Bradley said he is especially leery of expanding Florida’s current law because of problems caused by legalization of medical marijuana in states such as Colorado and California.
“It’s much more difficult to scale back than it is to know what works, make sure you get that down and then ease into a system,” he said.
Some lawmakers, however, want the Legislature to pass a bill to thwart a second attempt at a constitutional amendment.
Orlando trial lawyer John Morgan, who spent at least $3 million getting Amendment 2 on the ballot last year, is gearing up to put a similar proposal on the 2016 ballot. Some Republicans fear the medical marijuana initiative would be much more likely to pass in a presidential election, when Democrats — who might be more likely to support the effort — show up in higher numbers than in mid-term elections like last year’s. Amendment 2, which would have legalized medical marijuana, received 58 percent of the vote in November, just shy of the 60 percent required for passage.
“I certainly think that the Legislature should be the ones who address this issue. I’m optimistic that we can negotiate between the House and the Senate and maybe at least allow the members to fully vet the issue and hear from all the stakeholders and kind of go from there,” Steube, R-Sarasota, told The News Service of Florida on Tuesday.
But Bradley, who controls whether the bill will be heard, remained unconvinced that the Legislature should act now.
“While I’m certainly aware of what’s going on with the John Morgan efforts and the constitutional amendments, I don’t think that should dictate our timetables. What should dictate our timetables is what is in the best interest of the people of the state of Florida,” he said.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Escambia Breaks Ground On Perdido River Boat Ramp
February 11, 2015
Tuesday, Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Escambia County officials attended the groundbreaking for the Perdido River Boat Ramp. The new boat ramp is the final project to be completed for Phase I of the state of Florida’s Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) early restoration projects.
All Phase I projects are located in Escambia County and include boat ramp restorations at Galvez Landing and Navy Point, the brand new Mahogany Mill Boat Ramp and Park, and an 8.1 mile dune restoration project on Pensacola Beach.
“The department is excited to wrap up Phase I of the NRDA projects,” said DEP Secretary Jon Steverson. “We look forward to continuing to work with local communities on the other phases of early restoration projects to ensure that damaged resources are restored and recreational opportunities are enhanced.”
In April 2011, BP agreed to provide $1 billion to the Natural Resource Damage Assessment Trustees for early restoration projects. Each trustee, including the state of Florida, is able to access $100 million for early restoration projects that meet the criteria described in the framework agreement. Florida’s $100 million is allocated to Phases I, II, and III of early restoration, but there are also federal dollars available.
“We are happy to be breaking ground on the Perdido River Boat Ramp project and celebrating the finalization of the first phase of the Natural Resource Damage Assessment early restoration funds for Escambia County,” said Escambia County Commissioner Wilson Robertson. “This will be one of the finest boat ramps to access Perdido River and will be a huge benefit to District 1 and Escambia County.”
The Perdido River boat ramp was designed by Pensacola-based Hatch Mott MacDonald and will cost approximately $1.2 million for actual construction, $2.3 million total with land acquisition costs.
Roads, Inc. of Northwest Florida, a Cantonment-based company, will construct the boat ramp. The boat ramp is expected to be completed by fall of 2015 and will be located on the north side of Old Highway 90 on the Perdido River.