October 27, 2016 – Politico
by Bruce Ritchie
Representatives of utilities and businesses are raising concerns about a proposed state rule requiring public notification after pollution incidents. When the public wasn’t told for nearly a month after a sinkhole opening at a phosphate plant in Polk County, Gov. Rick Scott in September ordered the Department of Environmental Protection to issue an emergency rule requiring notification within 24 hours. DEP is holding workshops across the state on a proposed permanent rule.
Some critics said DEP has the resources to handle notifications rather than pushing the requirement onto small businesses. Some utility representatives said the rule lacked thresholds for which reporting is required. [READ MORE]