Fla. Staffer Says He Was Reprimanded For Talking About Climate Change

"A Florida Department of Environmental Protection land manager says he was sent home and formally reprimanded for speaking about climate change and the Keystone XL pipeline at an inter-agency meeting last month.

The Tallahassee Democrat reported on the disciplinary measures Thursday, following a complaint filed on the employee's behalf by the Florida chapter of the group Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, or PEER.

Bart Bibler, a land management plan coordinator, was served with an official reprimand 'concerning his discussion of climate change, together with his position that the Keystone XL Pipeline would further aggravate this environmental problem,' according to the complaint filed with the DEP inspector general. Bibler was placed on personal leave, was told to stay out of the office for two days, and was 'directed to seek what appears to be a mental health evaluation from his doctor to verify his 'fitness for duty,'' the PEER complaint says."

Kate Sheppard reports for the Huffington Post March 19, 2015.

SEE ALSO:

"Florida’s Climate Change Gag Order Claims Its First Victim" (DeSmogBlog)

"Employees Group: Florida Environmental Manager Was Punished for Uttering 'Climate Change.'" (Palm Beach Post)

"Florida Orders Mental Exam for Worker Who Pushed Climate Change Agenda" (Gawker)

"More 'Climate Change' Silence From Gov. Scott's Administration" (Tampa Bay Times)

"Florida and the Science Who Must Not Be Named" (Wired)

"Regulators From Coastal States of Florida, N.C., Pan EPA Climate Plan" (McClatchy)

"Florida Employee 'Punished for Using Phrase Climate Change'" (Guardian)