Florida plans new solar powered city

FLORIDA: New city to run on solar power

Kitson & Partners is developing a new city, Babcock Ranch, that will hold 19,500 homes, creating "the first city on earth powered by zero-emission solar energy."

The city will include the world's largest photovoltaic power plant, which will be operated by Florida Power & Light. Buildings will be certified green and surrounded by thousands of acres of open space.

The city's solar panels will sit on 350 acres within the development. More than half of the city's 17,000 acres will be permanently protected as greenways and open space, the developer said, and will adjoin the 73,000-acre Babcock Ranch Preserve that has been purchased by the state.F

Subject to approvals, groundbreaking on the solar plant could start later this year. Construction of the city center could begin next year. This will be one development to watch.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Spurred by AT&T, Senate passes legislation to deregulate landlines

ARKANSAS: Gov. Beebe warns that surplus funds won't be available next year

GEORGIA: Gov. Perdue certifies 67 road, bridge projects to get stimulus money

KENTUCKY: Environmentalists against proposed coal-fired power plant in Clark County

LOUISIANA: Servolution, a local service project to help widows, goes global

MISSISSIPPI: Biofuel byproducts could prove economically viable for growers

NORTH CAROLINA: Gov. Perdue raids various finance areas to meet payroll

SOUTH CAROLINA: Gov. Sanford to use TV ads to promote stance on stimulus funds

TENNESSEE: State Democrats work to regroup before 2010 elections

VIRGINIA: Close race already noted for Democratic governor hopefuls

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