U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) announced today that the Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO), a research consortium in St. Petersburg, will be Florida’s representative for the Centers of Excellence Research Grants Program, designing the program and administering the fund for the state. FIO will establish competitive grants for Centers of Excellence focusing on science, technology, and monitoring related to Gulf restoration, according to a rule published today by the U.S. Department of Treasury written as part of implementing the RESTORE Act, which passed July 6, 2012 in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster that devastated the Gulf of Mexico.
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As public officials, we are writing to express our support for clean energy and urge your company to deepen its investment in energy efficiency and solar power in Florida. The areas of the country that move the fastest toward energy efficiency and solar power will generate the largest share of both manufacturing and installation jobs. We recognize the economic, health and environmental benefits that a shift to clean energy can bring our state and our communities. We also know that your leadership here is vital, especially in the upcoming proceedings before the Florida Public Service Commission that will determine Florida’s energy portfolio for years to come.
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Today U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor and State Rep. Dwight Dudley announced new legislative proposals to increase consumer protections and energy savings for Floridians.
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When it comes to alternative energy, Pinellas Park's PolyPack Inc. is ahead of the curve. The manufacturer of shrink wrap machines was racking up a hefty power bill before they decided to line the plant's roof with solar panels.
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“The Justice Department’s settlement of BP’s criminal violations for the Deepwater Horizon blowout is a step towards justice for the families and communities that suffered the tragedy. BP must be held accountable for the loss of life, economic damage and environmental harm caused by the BP Deepwater Horizon blowout.
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Gulf Coast states and the Gulf of Mexico achieved a major victory today when the U.S. House of Representatives passed the RESTORE Act, which directs 80 percent of the fines and penalties collected under the Clean Water Act directly to the recovery and restoration of the Gulf Coast. U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor set this as a top priority for this congressional term following the BP oil disaster, which wreaked havoc on the Gulf Coast about two years ago.
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On the second anniversary of the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster, Congresswoman Kathy Castor is renewing her call for the Justice Department to enter a legal settlement with the oil company that would put the environmental and economic needs of the Gulf Coast at the forefront. Castor has been advocating for 80 percent of the federal Clean Water Act settlement proceeds to be directed toward the Gulf of Mexico. Castor serves as co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Gulf Coast Caucus.
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Today U.S. House Rules Committee will consider an amendment filed by U.S. Representative Kathy Castor to stop the harmful expansion of offshore oil drilling in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico. Castor is joined by a bipartisan group of Florida lawmakers in opposition to the Republican leadership proposal to bring rigs close to Florida beaches.
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