Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)

Useful Energy Links

Highlights

Many agencies have programs, laws and regulations which directly or indirectly interact with environmentally-related energy issues. These include: main-agency return

The Department of Environmental Protection. Within the Department of Environmental Protection, many parts of the agency implement the programs, laws and regulations concerning the activities that are under their purview, some of which relate to energy matters, either directly through their own programs, or though their reviews under the Siting Acts. Links for some of those programs are provided below.

Florida Energy Office -- This Office was transferred to DEP in June of 2003. In 2006, the Siting Coordination Office and the Florida Energy Office merged. The Florida Energy Office will promote energy conservation and the use of “next generation” clean energy technologies, including hydrogen fuel cells and renewable energy sources such as solar power, through business alliances, grants and agency partnerships. Applications and coordination of Threshold Steam-electric Power Plants, threshold Electrical Transmission Lines, threshold Intrastate Natural Gas Pipelines; and, 60 Hertz Electric & Magnetic Fields is also handled in this office.

Air Resource Management Division -- Air Emissions and control programs

Waste Management Division -- Waste-to-Energy facilities, Waste Reuse, Waste byproducts

Water Resource Management Division -- Industrial Wastewater, Surface Water, Groundwater, Stormwater, Wetland Impacts, Mitigation

Office of Intergovernmental Programs -- Outer Continental Shelf Issues, Federal Projects review

The Public Service Commission. The PSC is an important oversight body over many of the utilities of Florida [not all utilities are under the jurisdiction of the PSC, although the majority are], performing many tasks:

Evaluating the overall electric generation versus need for power of the state;
Establishing utility company boundaries;
Preparing fiscal analyses of the costs utilities request to recover due to compliance with environmental regulations;
Implementation of energy conservation laws.
Conducting formal Need Determination proceedings for facilities going through the Electrical Power Plant Siting Act, the Transmission Line Siting Act, and the Natural Gas Transportation Siting Act;
Reviewing Ten-year Site Plans submitted by many utilities to look at both the generation/capacity issue as well as where new sites might be located. Other agencies are provided the opportunity to comment on the sites.

The Department of Community Affairs. The Department is involved in energy in several ways. The DCA is a statutory party to the legal proceedings of several energy-related laws: the Electrical Power Plant Siting Act, the Transmission Line Siting Act, the Natural Gas Transportation Siting Act, and the High Speed Rail Authority Act**. Under those proceedings, DCA prepares a report on impacts of a proposed project on matters under DCA's jurisdiction, and may also be required to provide technical assistance. They may recommend that conditions of certification (licensing restrictions) be imposed on projects to address energy or other concerns. [**The High Speed Rail Act's relationship to energy has to do with reduction of fuel consumption because of mass transit, reduction in the associated energy-intensive needs of highway construction and maintenance, etc.]

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC) is a statutory party to the legal proceedings of several energy-related laws: the Electrical Power Plant Siting Act, the Transmission Line Siting Act, and the Natural Gas Transportation Siting Act, the High Speed Rail Transportation Act. Under those proceedings, the FFWCC prepares a report on impacts of a proposed project on matters under the FFWCC's jurisdiction. Impacts might include adverse affects on endangered species, and whether the facility should be constructed where proposed or as designed.

The Department of Transportation. The Department of Transportation (DOT) is a statutory party to the legal proceedings of two energy-related laws: the Natural Gas Transportation Siting Act and the High Speed Rail Transportation Act. Under those proceedings, the DOT prepares a report on impacts of a proposed project on matters under the DOT's jurisdiction. Such impacts may include the effects of construction and maintenance on roadways; conversely, if there are problems, this may impact the development of facilities which provide energy-related benefits, e.g., the supply of natural gas. Although not a statutory party to the Power Plant Siting proceedings and the Transmission Line Siting proceedings, DOT is typically asked to comment on these energy-related projects.

The Department of State, Division of Historical Resources. Under the Natural Gas Siting Act, the Division prepares a report on impacts of a proposed project on matters under it's jurisdiction, such as affect on archaeological artifacts or historical resources. The Division may also be asked to comment on the same issues under the other Siting Acts, but are not initially parties to the proceeding.

The Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. (DACS) The Division of Forestry is typically the part of DACS which is involved with the energy-related projects discussed under the previous headings. While not a statutory party initially to these proceedings, they can be requested to comment, or can request to be a party. Impacts to State Forests are the general point of concern.

The Water Management Districts. (See links below.) The respective Water Management Districts (WMDs) are a statutory party to the legal proceedings of several energy-related laws: the Electrical Power Plant Siting Act, the Transmission Line Siting Act, the Natural Gas Transportation Siting Act, and the High Speed Rail Transportation Act. Under those proceedings, the WMD prepares a report on impacts of a proposed project on matters under the WMD's jurisdiction. Water supply is an extremely important issue for most power plant projects. Impacts on water sources can arise from the construction and operation of the other projects, as well.

The Regional Planning Councils. (See links below.)R

The respective Regional Planning Councils (RPCs) are a statutory party to the legal proceedings of several energy-related laws: the Electrical Power Plant Siting Act, the Transmission Line Siting Act, the Natural Gas Transportation Siting Act, and the High Speed Rail Transportation Act. Under those proceedings, the RPC prepares a report on impacts of a proposed project on matters under the RPC's jurisdiction. -return

Many County and City Governments. The respective local governments (LGs) are a statutory party to the legal proceedings of several energy-related laws: the Electrical Power Plant Siting Act, the Transmission Line Siting Act, the Natural Gas Transportation Siting Act, and the High Speed Rail Transportation Act. Under those proceedings, the LG prepares a report on impacts of a proposed project on matters under the LG's jurisdiction. The LGs may recommend that conditions of certification (licensing restrictions) be imposed on projects to address energy or other concerns if their regulations contain such restrictions.

The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC). The FSEC, which is a part of the University of South Florida, conducts research of "alternative" energy sources and provides information on ways to conserve energy.

The Energy 2020 Commission. The Commission was appointed by the Governor to evaluate the energy situation in Florida, and to propose improvements to Florida's policies and laws, if deemed necessary. State agencies assisted the Commission, and much information was presented by interest groups and the utilities. Technical Advisory Committees worked at the behest of the Commission to prepare sub-reports upon which to base the main Report. The Final Report was issued in December of 2001. The Commission's website contains a link to numerous documents on the subject of energy planning and changes in America today.

Water Management Districts

Northwest Florida Water Management District

St. Johns River Water Management District

South Florida Water Management District

Southwest Florida Water Management District

Suwannee River Water Management District

Return to WMDs on main list

Regional Planning Councils

Central Florida Regional Planning Council

East Central Florida Regional Planning Council

North Central Florida Regional Planning Council

Northeast Florida Regional Planning Council