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Environmental group pushes for oil independence

By Lynn Hatter

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-981564.mp3

Tallahassee, FL – The advocacy group Environment Florida wants to wean the state off oil. But as Lynn Hatter reports, it's up against a large number of people who don't exactly share the same view and the dream of oil independence may be just that.

Alejandra Cabrera is the Environment Florida Campaign Coordinator. The advocacy group has come up with some ways that Florida can decrease its use of oil like boosting renewable energy sources, increasing fuel efficiency in vehicles and revising its transportation policies.

"We're calling on Florida to double our investment in public transportation, build an infrastructure to support biking, and develop our communities in smart ways so that people live closer to where they work and to do the things they need."

Those things may be easier said than done. In the last legislative session lawmakers rolled back many of the state's growth management laws designed to contain urban sprawl. Right now the state's utility regulator is looking at allowing a possible expansion of nuclear power in the state something not advocated for by the Environment Florida, and earlier in the year Governor Rick Scott sent back millions of federal dollars meant for a statewide high-speed rail network.