Journalist

Kevin Spear

Kevin Spear reports for the Orlando Sentinel, covering growth, sustainability and quality of life. Topics include planes, trains, buses, automobiles, cycling, water, energy and natural environments. He commutes on a bicycle on most days, takes Lynx bus #51 to the airport frequently and rides SunRail when possible.

The Friends of the Loch Haven Chain of Lakes group already has hundreds of members and a recent state allocation of nearly $1.5 million for solutions to ruinous water pollution that afflicts springs, streams, rivers and lakes.

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Powerful group of ‘friends’ help protect Loch Haven Chain of Lakes

October 6, 2023 at 4:17 p.m.

The Friends of the Loch Haven Chain of Lakes group already has hundreds of members and a recent state allocation of nearly $1.5 million for solutions to ruinous water pollution...

An Orlando Sentinel survey found reluctance among some local utility, government and industry leaders to be fully transparent – to go beyond transparency specifically mandated by the federal government – about what’s in your drinking water.

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Environment |
Transparency on drinking water contamination isn’t unanimous, Orlando Sentinel survey finds

September 29, 2023 at 5:24 p.m.

An Orlando Sentinel survey found reluctance among some local utility, government and industry leaders to be fully transparent – to go beyond transparency specifically mandated by the federal government –...

Brightline trains began a new era on Friday with the debut of higher speed passenger rail service from Orlando to Miami.

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Transportation |
Brightline trains make history with first Orlando-Miami passenger trips

September 22, 2023 at 5:54 p.m.

Brightline trains began a new era on Friday with the debut of higher speed passenger rail service from Orlando to Miami.

Lake Mary’s water plant, more costly and complex than conventional ones, is gaining visibility nationally as a utility solution for water contaminants of rising concern like 1,4-dioxane.

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Environment |
1,4-dixoane: How Lake Mary’s water plant destroys ‘tricky’ chemical with high-tech solution unique to Florida

September 23, 2023 at 11:21 a.m.

Lake Mary’s water plant, more costly and complex than conventional ones, is gaining visibility nationally as a utility solution for water contaminants of rising concern like 1,4-dioxane.

Central Florida's public bus system, Lynx, is phasing out diesel buses soon in favor of no or low emission vehicles.

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Transportation |
Lynx’s 50-year use of diesel buses is nearing an end

September 14, 2023 at 5:03 a.m.

Central Florida's public bus system, Lynx, is phasing out diesel buses soon in favor of no or low emission vehicles.

Brightline has announced that it will now start service between South and Central Florida on Sept. 22.

Transportation |
Brightline says Sept. 22 is new start date for Miami-Orlando service

September 13, 2023 at 5:16 a.m.

Brightline has announced that it will now start service between South and Central Florida on Sept. 22.

U.S. Rep. Darren Soto leads talks on funding fixes for road congestion in Central Florida.

Transportation |
As Central Florida traffic woes rise, leaders look to state and federal dollars

September 8, 2023 at 1:31 p.m.

U.S. Rep. Darren Soto leads talks on funding fixes for road congestion in Central Florida.

Set up as a yearlong experiment, with a daily limit of 50 visitors, it will be interesting to see whether the virtual airport hall pass becomes popular.

Transportation |
Want to sightsee at Orlando International Airport Terminal C? Here’s how.

September 5, 2023 at 7:19 p.m.

Set up as a yearlong experiment, with a daily limit of 50 visitors, it will be interesting to see whether the virtual airport hall pass becomes popular.

What the underwriters of the California-to-Central Florida journey confirmed was that at least for such big commercial vehicles, running 100 percent on battery power is still a wild, wild frontier.

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Transportation |
Winter Garden company shows US not ready for cross-country electric bus trips

September 1, 2023 at 2:33 p.m.

What the underwriters of the California-to-Central Florida journey confirmed was that at least for such big commercial vehicles, running 100 percent on battery power is still a wild, wild frontier.

"We are close to identifying a start date, but we've added a few more days to our work schedule to complete the final stages of certification and testing," Brightline said in a note to passengers.

Transportation |
Brightline again delays start of service from South Florida to Orlando

August 30, 2023 at 9:32 a.m.

"We are close to identifying a start date, but we've added a few more days to our work schedule to complete the final stages of certification and testing," Brightline said...

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