Independent gubernatorial candidate Bud Chiles met with business leaders and environmental activists in Tallahassee Friday to discuss alternative energy sources for Florida, linking them to the state’s downtrodden economy.

Few spectacles these past two months have been as nauseating as Big Power’s goose-stepping march through the Florida Legislature.

Actually, I've known whole countries that put up a lustier fight against the enemy than this group of grasping lawmakers did to protect Florida's long-suffering energy consumers.

Starting Friday, Floridians will be able to save money while helping to save the environment and the Sunshine State’s sluggish economy.

At a media event Wednesday, Gov. Charlie Crist met with legislators, representatives of the Florida Retail Federation and employees of Badcock, Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe’s and Sears to promote a rebate program on energy-efficient appliances.

Knowing that neither Gov. Charlie Crist nor the Senate have any plans to approve his bill, Rep. Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, plans to unveil legislation on offshore energy exploration later in the session anyway.

On Friday, Cannon’s Select Policy Council on Strategic and Economic Planning held its last public hearing. For the past year, the council has heard presentations on offshore drilling, and how it would impact the state’s environment and economy.