News
Happy Birthday to Us!
Capitol Energy Communications Celebrates One-Year Anniversary
These days, it’s tough to start a new company. That’s why Capitol Energy Communications is excited and proud to mark our first year in business.
Over the past year we’ve built a diverse client base. Capitol Energy Communications has provided media relations and messaging for grassroots campaigns, elected officials, statewide associations, and new media firms, among others. We also continue to advocate for energy stakeholders at a multi-state level.
We are grateful for our clients, who recognize that CEC is a small firm with a big reach. They know that we’re cost-effective and flexible. We get things done and make a difference for our clients.
Thank you to those who have supported us throughout our first year in business. We look forward to many more!
Jerry Paul, CEC Managing Partner
Erin VanSickle, CEC Director of Communications
FMA PAC Releases Legislative and Statewide Candidate Endorsements
Tampa—The FMA (Florida Medical Association) PAC Board of Directors met in Tampa this weekend to issue endorsements for statewide and legislative candidates.
“The FMA PAC’s endorsement and support provides a significant resource to candidates,” said E. Butler, MD, FMA President-Elect and PAC President. “We are proud to stand behind those candidates who share our mission of protecting patients’ access to care. We rely upon our county medical societies to interview candidates and make recommendations, and we are grateful for our Candidate Evaluation Committees for vetting the candidates to ensure that we continue to put our resources behind viable candidates who will truly champion our priorities.”
The FMA PAC Board of Directors unanimously endorsed Attorney General Bill McCollum in the race for Governor of Florida and Marco Rubio in the race for U.S. Senate. Other highlights are as follows:
Statewide Races
Attorney General – Neutral
Chief Financial Officer – Jeff Atwater
Commissioner of Agriculture – Adam Putnam
Florida Senate Endorsements
SD 2 – Greg Evers
SD 8 – Senator John Thrasher
SD 6 – Bill Montford
SD 12 – Jim Norman
SD 14 – Senator Steve Oelrich
SD 16 – Jack Latvala
SD 20 – Alan Hays
SD 24 – Senator Thad Altman
SD 25 – Ellyn Bogdanoff
SD 27 – Kevin Rader (Democrat Primary)
SD 32 – Senator Jeremy Ring
SD 36 – Miguel Diaz de la Portilla
SD 38 – Anitere Flores
SD 40 – Rene Garcia
Florida House of Representatives Endorsements
HD 1 – Greg Brown
HD 2 – Clay Ingram
HD 3 – Rep. Clay Ford
HD 6 – Rep. Jimmy Patronis
HD 7 – Rep. Marti Coley
HD 8 – Rep. Alan Williams
HD 9 – Rick Minor
HD 10 – Rep. Leonard Bembry
HD 15 – Reggie Fullwood
HD 18 – Rep. Ron Renuart, D.O.
HD 20 – Rep. William Proctor
HD 22 – John Patrick Deakins
HD 24 – Dennis Baxley
HD 25 – Rick Joyce
HD 27 – Rep. Dwayne Taylor
HD 28 – Rep. Dorothy Hukill
HD 30 – Rep. Ritch Workman
HD 31 – Rep. John Tobia
HD 33 – Open Seat – Jason Brodeur
HD 34 – Rep. Chris Dorworth
HD 35 – Speaker-Designate Dean Cannon
HD 36 – Rep. Scott Randolph
HD 38 – Rep. Bryan Nelson
HD 40 – Rep. Eric Eisnaugle
HD 41 – Rep. Steve Precourt
HD 42 – Rep. Marlene O’Toole
HD 44 – Rep. Robert Schenck
HD 45 – Katherine Starkey
HD 48 – Rep. Peter Nehr
HD 49 – Rep. Darren Soto
HD 50 – Rep. Ed Hooper
HD 51 – Rep. Janet Long
HD 52 – Rep. Bill Heller
HD 53 – Rep. Rick Kriseman
HD 54 – Rep. Jim Frishe
HD 55 – Darryl Rouson
HD 56 – Rep. Rachel Burgin
HD 57 – Open Seat – Dana Young
HD 58 – Rep. Janet Cruz
HD 60 – Open Seat – Shawn Harrison
HD 61 – Rep. Will Weatherford
HD 64 – Rep. Kelli Stargel
HD 65 – Rep. John Wood
HD 66 – Ben Albritton
HD 67 – Greg Steube
HD 68 - Jim Boyd
HD 69 – Rep. Keith Fitzgerald
HD 70 – Rep. Doug Holder
HD 71 – Rep. Ken Roberson
HD 73 – Jason Moon
HD 75 – Rep. Trudi Williams
HD 79 – Rep. Mike Horner
HD 80 – Rep. Debbie Mayfield
HD 83 – Patrick Rooney
HD 85 – Rep. Joseph Abruzzo
HD 86 – Lori Berman
HD 87 – Bill Hager
HD 88 – Rep. Mark Pafford
HD 90 – Open Seat – Irv Slosberg
HD 95 – Rep. Jim Waldman
HD 96 – Rep. Ari Porth
HD 98 – Rep. Franklin Sands
HD 100 – Rep. Evan Jenne
HD 101 – Rep. Matt Hudson
HD 102 – Rep. Eddy Gonzalez
HD 104 – John Patrick Julien
HD 108 – Rep. Ronald Brise
HD 109 – Cynthia Stafford
HD 111 – Rep. Erik Fresen
HD 112 – Jeanette Nunez
HD 113 – Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera
HD 114 – Ana Rivas Logan
HD 115 – Jose “Pepe” Diaz
HD 117 – Michael Bileca
HD 119 – Katie Edwards
HD 120 – Rep. Ron Saunders
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House Speaker-Designate Cannon, Senate President-Elect Haridopolos Applaud Legal Team to Protect Floridians from Oil Spill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 10, 2010
CONTACT: ERIN VANSICKLE
(850) 339-3184
House Speaker-Designate Cannon, Senate President-Elect Haridopolos Applaud Legal Team to Protect Floridians from Oil Spill
Tallahassee—Florida House Speaker-Designate Dean Cannon (R-Winter Park) and Florida Senate President-Elect Mike Haridopolos (R-Melbourne) released the following statement today regarding the Deepwater Horizon oil spill:
“We applaud Attorney General McCollum and Gov. Crist’s announcement that they have established a legal team to advise the state on recovering costs associated with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. While it is impossible to put a price on Florida’s signature coastlines, our tourism and fishing industries are invaluable to the state’s economy.
“It is critical that BP cover the costs of cleaning up the oil spill and that they mitigate any subsequent damage to these industries. We will work with General McCollum and Gov. Crist to ensure that Florida taxpayers are not footing the bill for this incident and to provide a legal framework through which BP may pay all costs associated with the spill.”
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Gretna plans bioenergy plant
GRETNA — A $250-million bioenergy plant is planned for a 100-acre site in the Gretna Industrial Park on State Road 12, Gadsden County and city of Gretna officials announced Wednesday afternoon.
The facility, a development of bioenergy company Adage, will produce 50 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 40,000 homes. The plant and its associated fuel operations will have a permanent staff of up to 150, but the construction will require employment of 478 workers. The construction is expected to take 21/2 years.
“We are proud to partner with Adage, create jobs, and keep our city and county at the forefront of Florida’s clean-energy future,” Gretna Mayor Anthony J. Baker told the gathering of officials and business leaders at city hall.
Gadsden County Commission Chairman Eugene Lamb Jr. credited the efforts of the Gadsden County Chamber of Commerce and local leaders with bringing the facility to the community.
“We are proud to be here today. This project marks new jobs here in Gadsden County. The project will have a regional impact, utilizing local clean wood waste and residue to make new energy,” Lamb said, noting the boost to economic development in the area.
“This is what Christmas is all about,” said State Rep. Alan Williams, whose district includes Gretna. “Sometimes it’s better to give than to receive. This time, it’s better to receive than to give.”
Williams said the bioenergy plant, which will get its fuel from the region’s forest industry, will utilize cutting-edge combustion technology and advanced emission controls. “One of the most exciting things about this proposed facility is how green it is,” Williams said.
The potential for more local employment comes at a time when Gadsden leads the four-county area with 9.4 percent unemployment. “During these challenging economic times, it is critical to Gadsden County that we have a positive, credible, forward-looking and sustainable partner in renewal energy,” said David Gardner, executive director of the chamber of commerce. “We are excited about the opportunities Adage presents to our county and our workforce, and we are pleased to support this facility and the economic development it will provide.”
Reed Wills, president of Adage, said the Gretna plant will be similar to one Adage is building in Hamilton County. He expects the Gretna plant to begin producing electricity by the end of 2012, with a plan to interconnect with Talquin Electric Cooperative’s system.
A $150-million biomass plant was also proposed for a site on Tallahassee’s south side, but developer Biomass Gas & Electric withdrew its proposal in January in the face of local opposition to the location, which was near a residential neighborhood.
Gardner said Wednesday’s announcement in Gretna was the culmination of three years’ worth of effort, including the determination of an appropriate site and building community support.
“We feel we have an excellent place to invest and to do business,” said Wills.
Adage is a joint venture between power plant builder Areva and electric utility Duke Energy Corp. It is the first biopower partnership in the U.S. between major energy companies.
Florida Trend: Mediation Is Wise in Foreclosure Cases
The Collins Center stepped up to the plate after the last legislative session, when lawmakers considered creating a mediation program that could help lenders and borrowers negotiate a way to keep people in their homes and keep payments flowing to lenders. When the Legislature produced neither funding nor legislation, the Collins Center on its own began approaching circuit court administrators about introducing mediation into the foreclosure process. The center had coordinated a large-scale mediation effort in 2004-05 when hurricanes produced a logjam of disputes between homeowners and insurance adjusters.
