What films are you looking for. If you want the coal-trains, here's the link. I bought the video myself and very much impressed with the quality of the film>

Here's the link:
http://www.norock.org/nosmog2005/detroit-e...oal-plant-video.htm
There's a preview of this on the link:

If you want the St. Lucie Commissioners meeting for the FPL coal plant. I suggest you contact St. Lucie County:
http://www.stlucieco.gov/contact.htm

They sell the dvd at a very affordable price. I have copies of it, please let me know. Thank you.

Where I can find good quality films?
Can anyone help me?

Edited by author 06-13-2007 05:25 PM
http://www.miamiherald.com/416/story/138292.html

Ex-PSC chairman is fined for FPL dinner

BY MONICA HATCHER
mhatcher@MiamiHerald.com
A former chairman of the Public Service Commission, and a prominent Miami attorney, has admitted he violated state ethics rules when he dined at a swanky South Beach restaurant, compliments of Florida Power & Light.

In documents filed with the Florida Commission on Ethics and not yet public, Braulio Baez agreed to a settlement in which he will pay $1,169.87 in civil fines for the meal at the Delano hotel's Blue Door restaurant.

He will also submit to a public reprimand by the commission, whose job is to regulate the rates and services of FPL and other utilities.

He and another PSC commissioner, Rudy Bradley, were among 26 people who joined William Walker, FPL's vice president of regulatory affairs, and Susan Clark, a company lobbyist and herself a former PSC chairwoman, for dinner and drinks at the Blue Door in 2002.

Clark picked up the tab for $5,197.25.

At the time the ethics complaint was filed in 2006, Baez said he did nothing wrong. The menu listed no prices. And he reimbursed his hostess what he was told was his share -- $30.

''Honestly, the best way I can put it is that it was a simple math problem that spun out of control,'' Baez said Wednesday, ``I was billed much later, after the meal occured, and, honestly, like humans are wont to do, I didn't bother to check if the tally was accurate. I would have paid $300 if that's what I was billed.''

The Florida Commission on Ethics, however, didn't buy it.

In a probable cause ruling issued in 2006, ethics commission advocate Linzie F. Bogan concluded the commissioner should have known the meal cost far more.

He charged Baez with accepting a gift ''from a business entity which owned or controlled a public utility'' regulated by the PSC.

The case against Bradley is still pending.

Baez, a senior counsel with Holland & Knight, began his service with the PSC in 2000 and served as chairman for two years before resigning just before his term expired in Jan. 2006. On the commission, he is best known for leading an effort to give back $34 million in lost revenue to FPL following the 2004 hurricane season.

Lloyd Brumfield, a board member with Common Cause in Florida who filed the complaint against Baez, said he was disappointed with the ethics commission's settlement, which must still be finalized at its July 27th meeting.

''They rapped him on the pinkie, not even the knuckles,'' Brumfield said.

If people knew to what extent this powerplant proposal is being pushed by agribusiness, using public relations to gauge sentiment and artificially create so-called "grassroots" support... I think they might be taken aback. There is a lot of non-local money pouring into this to ensure that FPL does what it plans to do.

Hi
nice design on www.nosmog.org, great info
G'night

Edited by author 12-10-2006 02:45 PM
Soren and I agree - NoSmog includes pros and cons of power plants. Sources are coming from different opinions and research work. Alternative power sources are posted for people to know. FPL can build a clean power plant but it seems they would rather put the "best possible" cheapest anti-pollution devices they can get away with so as not to hurt their coffers . First they are very lucky to be guaranteed 12% profit no matter what. Why can't I have that type of business incentives?

Second, there was an info that the power plant they're building in Glades County will have $9 million less scrubbers, i.e. less anti-pollution devices. If the Glades County Commissioners and its residents want this so badly for "tax benefit" and they will approve it no matter what, I would rather get FPL build this plant correctly with much better anti-pollution devices, less pollutant to the environment and it should be better than what they offered at St. Lucie County.- after all they renamed the same pulverized coal plant from SUPERCRITICAL to ULTRASUPERCRITICAL coal plant. So tell me what's the difference between the two with the latter less that $9 millions?

As for China and other poor countries - it is usually due to ignorance of the majority of the people and nosmog is there for them to read and get some information on almost everything related to power plant and other issues. I think we are getting there as there are other countries who have been to the site and has been coming back to read more information posted.

You can't blame these corporate owners moving their manufacturing firms to third world countries - this is about capitalism with less liabilities and cheaper to produce. Do I like it, of course not! Maybe you should ask the attorneys and some of these "do gooders" in the U.S. to stop some of these silly lawsuits such as knowingly "putting a cup of hot coffee on your lap is stupidity". Or parents who let their children run amok in department stores and end up getting hurt resulting to parents suing the dept. stores, or turning the street as a playground and blaming the drivers for negligence!

Japan goes to the Philippines and do logging, mining in the area causing a big problem on erosion and killing thousands of people. CSR Rinker is an Australian owned company and mining in the U.S. So it's not only U.S. who's benefitting from these countries as well. Don't forget the Alqueda groups and terrorists living in this country are using U.S. economy and sending money to their own countries to support terrorism worldwide. Other countries are benefitting from the U.S. We give millions if not billions of dollars in aid to these third world countries. I'm not even born in the U.S. and recently got my citizenship and I'm being patriotic!

This kind of arrogance is the same arrogance shown by Floridians that do NOT want offshore drilling. It is okay for Venezuela, the Middle East etc. to risk their environment so that americans can drive their giant SUV's using cheap gasoline generated with oil from their countries. No wonder the rest of the world hates us. I wonder what would happen to the price of gas etc. if the rest of the world thought like we do. $10 per gallon gas, $50 t-shits made in China etc.

I am sorry but I just don't understand. If we are unwilling to be around the plants that produce the power we use I guess FPL should shut down our power source. If nobody anywhere are willing to have a plant close to them where the heck is FPL to put their plants???? Well I guess putting a hault to progress is what you are advocating. I guess FPL should then cut off the power to everybody opposed to plants next to them. This shows the same arrogance that Americans are displaying worldwide when we go in and rob somebody else's resources for our own pleasures. Like cheap products produced by underpaid labor in China, India etc. If we want the high standard of living we must also pay the price. I guess members of this organization would rather have it that some poor population somewhere that does not have the resources to fight this get the plan. That sounds VERY unamerican to me !!!

Bucks,

Please send me an email and I'll send you a list of people who can help. But if the Glades Commissioners will not change their mind, its going to be a losing battle for anybody. As you can see from the news:

Power plant could enhance community; Project promises to change the face of Glades County

By Nena Bolan and Barbara Oehlbeck, Glades County Democrat
GLADES COUNTY — Sitting at his desk in a sunlit corner office of the Glades County Courthouse, Glades County Manager Wendell Taylor couldn’t stop smiling.

“This is a memorable day in Glades County,” he said.

The Glades County Board of County Commissioners had just concluded its regular meeting on Sept. 12. Those in attendance had heard the rumors but that was all.

Shock waves reverberated throughout the courthouse and beyond when Larry Hilton, Deputy County Manager for Community Development, made the announcement that FP&L wants to build a new power plant in Glades County on a 5,000 acre site about five miles northwest of Moore Haven.

This upbeat news has encouraged the hopes of residents and officials. The possibility of Glades County receiving an annual tax benefit, averaging $21 million, could enhance the livelihood of the entire rural community.

“This will enable Glades County to grow a lot more and a lot smarter. This will provide a catalyst for other industries, as well as more economic growth and diversity,” said Larry Hilton, deputy county manager for community development. “It is real, real, important that people understand that this project will give Glades County an opportunity they have not had in almost a hundred years.”

The dialogue between the FP&L and Glades County began in February 2006. Mr. Taylor recalled that FP&L first asked for a visit during which they suggested choosing a site for a plant. Mr. Taylor and the county commissioners provided a setting where both parties could freely discuss what their needs were.

In this way, Glades County officials were able to display their negotiation skills and land use expertise. FP&L proposed to build a plant that would employ an average of 1,600 construction jobs annually over a five-year construction period. This would be followed by 180 full-time jobs to operate the plant, and more than 150 indirect support jobs in the community.

The news has many in the community excited at the prospect of the future.

“Being a commissioner for 14 years, I can well remember budget meetings in July and August when we could hardly find enough money to support the county,” said Commissioner Bob Geisler. “Some years we had to cut back services and sometimes we had to let an employee go. We’d work four to five hours trying to find enough money to fund some worthwhile project, and sometimes it was not there to find.”

The commissioner said the new plant will impact the community in a big way.

“This FP&L project is not an overnight adventure.

,” he said. “It will take six years for the first phase to be built and online. In the meantime, housing, restaurants, hotels, and other services will be coming to Glades County. Are we ready? I think not. But we have capable people working for us in whom I have confidence.”

Elected officials also kept up with the news.

“This is great news for Glades County,” said Senator Dave Aronberg. “The FP&L plant will create high-paying jobs and diversify the local economy. Our region will benefit from the energy created by the plant, and Glades County will benefit by adding jobs and $21 million to the tax base. It’s a win-win all around.”

State Representative Denise Grimsley said, “I applaud Glades County Manager Wendell Taylor, Larry Hilton, Deputy County Manager for Community Development, and the Board of County Commissioners for bringing this project to fruition.”

Before the plant is constructed, however, there are several more steps for review and approval. FP&L’s proposal will be reviewed by Florida Department of Environmental Protection, South Florida Water Management District, and federal, state and local agencies. Local residents will be able to attend and speak at public meetings, hearings and workshops.

With $21 million in yearly tax benefits, multiple improvements can be created for local government services. County commissioner, Russell Echols, reflected on the impact this would have for a small county and said, “This will transform Glades County into a can-do county,” he said.

Suggestions for improvements include maintaining roads, enhancing schools, lowering taxes, building a pharmacy and medical buildings, securing better paying jobs; and giving the town of Moore Haven a boost because it is the county seat.

Still, there are those who are a little more hesitant about the proposal.

“I have great concerns about the environmental issues with this power plant,” said Fran Koebert of Muse. “I would like to see FP&L make a commitment to research and development for technology to incorporate into this new plant. There’s good and there’s bad; we have to weigh these factors.”

Others seemed to agree.

Dr. Harris Friedman, an officer with the group Save our Creeks, said, “I have some concerns about a coal burning plant and until I learn more about the type technology that’s being proposed in terms of environmental impact, my opinion is very guarded as to whether this is a good thing or not for the county.”

County commissioner, Alvin Ward, said, “It will go a long way for a small county.” He further mentioned that Glades would be able to have a choice on what industries enter the county and increased funding would, “Allow us to keep our rural landscape, and keep our way of life.”

Dealing with a large company like FP&L can create a positive outlook, because the United States economy runs on electricity, and there is a demand for new power plants, something most in Glades County are betting on.

Final approval will come from the governor and state cabinet.

In the meantime, residents’ eyes are focused on the future.

“This will be the greatest economic boost that Glades County has had since its birth in 1923,” said Glades County Commissioner Butch Jones.

Bob Jones, Glades County safety director, said it simplest: “I think it’s God-sent. He sent it to us.”

Based on the feedback we're getting from Glades County Commissioners and the people themselves, they will oppose anybody that will go against the coal plant. The website will still be there to help those who wants to oppose it. In fact I sent an email to the Glades Commissioners and my email has been blocked already.I had to use somebody's email to get into their system. I also fax them a letter as follows:

Glades County Board of County Commissioners
P.O. Box 1018
500 Avenue K
Moore Haven, Florida 33471

Subject: FPL Coal-Fired Power Plant planned at Glades County

Dear Commissioners:

I recently heard about FPL and Glades County having a mutual agreement in support of the Coal-Fired Power Plant. The said Coal-Fired Power plant has been unanimously denied by St. Lucie County Commissioners because of its health hazards and among other detrimental, economic factors. – devaluation of properties and tricky maneuvers of FPL.

I will not tell you to support or deny the project proposed at your area. But all I’m requesting is for your group to visit the site- http://www.nosmog.org. to get more information about the technology presented by FPL and other alternative sources of energy. I would also suggest that your group insist on the strictest implementation of the anti-pollution devices going to be used, providing containement of the coal delivered to avoid contaminating the area. There’s a video of coal plant in the website which will be interesting to see as an example of what your county is going to get.

http://www.nosmog.org/nosmog2005/detroit-e...oal-plant-video.htm
mms://209.126.176.60/BOCC-FPL 110705 - BOCC - FPL meeting @ St. Lucie County

Furthermore, please re-check the tax revenue issues and make sure that your county will actually get the tax money being presented by FPL. FPL, being partially subsidized by tax payers and the government has different tax and property devaluation rating. I do not want to see Glades County losing the end of a “good” bargain.



Sincerely,

Nelly Spengler

How many Glades County residents are opposed to this coal power plant?

DO you guys plan on being involved with the new power plant proposal for Glades county? You were so successful with St. Lucie, I would love to help out if you do continue your work in Glades:)

The article posted on Newszap where Okeechobee commissioner discussed the FPL coal plant has been removed from their site!
Used to be:

http://www.newszap.com/articles/2006/03/08...keechobee/aol05.txt

"County Commissioners Domer & Posey briefly mentioned it at a meeting of the Okeechobee Democratic Party but wouldn't go into details and it hasn't been on the agenda at the recent county commission meetings."

Actually FP&L had already met with Okeechobee Commissioners awhile back regarding the coal plant when they were planning to put the coal plant at St. Lucie County.It was part of their "public outreach program"

FPL is buying Constellation Energy for $11 Billion - a natural gas power plant.

Natural gas prices is down to $9.00 as of today

Edited by author 11-10-2005 01:53 PM
Hi Jesus,

Thanks for the compliment but actually,all I did was do the research,post the articles, and if anybody need and ask for something, I help as much as I can, but Thanks to Dr. Bobbie Conti and some of her friends from PGA Reserve who did all the leg work on the signatures,flyer distribution, etc. that is why we got the 61.25% supermajority vote. I know this is a nasty comment- & "possibly forced Commissioner Hutchinson" to vote against it! It would look really bad for her if she voted in favor of it (4-1)!

Well, she granted their request for the speakers to talk for 15 minutes. She refused to give it to Phil & Craig when they asked her personally at her office if we can get only 30 minutes combined time to present our arguments against Dickerson Mine, the rest of the commissioners said that would be a good idea but it is up to the chairman to decide what she wants! Then at the beginning of the meeting , she announced at public that if we have a representative who wants to present the arguments!It's too late for us to do the work by then-meeting had already started!

 The worst of it all, -she voted for Dickerson Florida Mine who's < or >100 feet away from the residents, whereas she voted against the sand mine because of detrimental effects to the residents when the residents are miles away from the proposed site! I got all the transcripts, and I'm not going to hide the facts of her favoritism or unjust treatment of the "little people"!She is a self-centered person and only thinks about herself! There was a rumour going on that she was forced to vote for dickerson Florida mining due to her relative's connection with construction. Hey, I don't favor my relatives, not even my parents. If they need help, I will help but never will they influence my decision-making!

I definitely admire and will support Commissioners Coward & Craft, as they have been very fair with their judgement! They don't look at how shabby a person look or what color or whatever! They weight things out and decide what will be the best for everybody and what they want!

Nelly thank you for all your work and sacrifice.