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Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Is Florida running out of mitigation sites?
Florida developers have long depended on the state's mitigation banking system — through which they can build on wetlands so long as they offset their impact by paying for wetlands to be improved on another site using mitigation credits. But lately, builders have been told by some mitigation banks that no credits are available, potentially delaying projects for months or years. [Source: Bisnow]
Duke Energy asks to use tax savings to cover Hurricane Michael, too
Duke Energy Florida is seeking to use its savings under the 2017 federal tax reform to pay for yet another storm — Hurricane Michael. In a filing late Tuesday, the utility sought permission from the Florida Public Service Commission to cover $221 million in damages from the Category 5 hurricane last fall with its tax savings instead of charging customers for that amount. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the Orlando Sentinel.
Three toll highways approved for Florida; bill to go to governor
Florida is on the fast track to building three new major toll highways in mostly rural areas under a bill sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis by the state House on Wednesday despite concerns over their potential negative impact on the environment. The bill, passed on a 76-36 vote, creates task forces to study the potential routes and commits tens of millions of dollars for eventual construction of the highways. More from the AP, the Tampa Bay Times, and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
AI could help citrus growers find, detect dangerous psyllids
Precision agriculture engineer Yiannis Ampatzidis sees a day when citrus farmers use artificial intelligence to detect the pin-sized insects that can infect the fruit’s trees with the deadly greening disease. That day could come in the near future, because Ampatzidis and his research team are starting to perfect a system to detect the potentially deadly Asian citrus psyllid. [Source: Florida Trend]
See also:
» Florida Citrus Industry Is Facing An Existential Threat From Bacteria, But A Virus Offers Hope
Hurricane Center tracks first tropical disturbance of 2019
For the first time in 2019 the National Hurricane Center is saying there’s a chance of a tropical cyclone developing in the Atlantic Ocean. The area of rain and showers over the northwestern Bahamas and very close to Florida has been given a low chance of strengthening into a tropical depression — 20 percent over the next five days. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Sarasota pastry franchise plans Texas expansion
Le Macaron French Pastries announced plans to open more than 10 locations throughout Texas. According to a press release, the growth will occur through franchise partnerships. The Sarasota-based company aims to open the new locations within the next five years.
› Miami Beach's iconic Continuum towers are getting a luxury makeover amid name change
Within the next 30 to 60 days, the ArquitectonicaGEO design firm will begin an $8 million revamp of the property surrounding the twin towers on South Pointe, located on the northern shore of the entrance to PortMiami. The name is changing, too.
› Central Florida firms to vie for $100,000 in investments during conference of investors
Three Central Florida tech companies, including two in the health space, will pitch their businesses to investors at a conference in Orlando next week. The Florida Venture Forum’s Early Stage Capital Conference will feature 20 businesses vying for a part of $100,000 in investment money.
› New home starts taper off in Southwest Florida
New home starts slowed in Southwest Florida during early 2019, but closings showed renewed strength. Retiree demand should keep the regional housing market stable for the next 10 years, although affordable prices and mortgage rates could curb some growth, according to a new report from data supplier Metrostudy.
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