Posted on 07/14/2007 4:01:17 AM PDT by jsh3180
Cheered on by fellow Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger, Gov. Charlie Crist signed tough -- if general -- orders to combat global warming.
The silver-haired governor of Florida stood arm-in-arm Friday with the silver-screen governor of California, joked about being recast in Twins, and then -- as the cameras rolled -- signed a groundbreaking set of environmental protection orders.
Gov. Charlie Crist described the mandates as a framework for a new, more future-friendly way of living and conducting business in Florida.
''State government is leading by example,'' he said. ``It is the right thing to do.''
It also is a popular thing to do. Symbolizing the new star power of environmentalism, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger joined Crist at the signing ceremony after delivering a variation of his trademark line:
'We have to say `Hasta la vista, baby' to greenhouse gases.''
Among the components of Crist's plan, long on goals though short on specifics:
Tough new pollution standards for automobiles; a strong regulatory push for solar and wind energy; state vehicles powered by biofuel -- all contributing to sharply reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 2017, with deeper cuts by 2025 and even more by 2050.
Friday's action propelled the state -- and Crist -- into the forefront of a new, still evolving but already politically popular struggle with global warming.
Schwarzenegger insisted that the effort represented more than a lot of hot air.
''We have our work cut out for us, and there is no time to waste,'' Schwarzenegger told 600 people at the conclusion of the two-day Florida Summit on Climate Change sponsored by Crist at the InterContinental Miami hotel. ``You are on your way.''
About an hour later, Crist signed three orders:
• Many, but not all, state operations will be required to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other so-called greenhouse gases by 10 percent in 2012, 25 percent by 2017 and 40 percent by 2025.
New state buildings and rented offices must be ''energy efficient'' and include solar panels where possible. State vehicles must be ''fuel efficient'' and use ethanol and biodiesel fuels when available.
Exempted from the requirements, though ''encouraged'' to embrace them: the Legislature, university system, Cabinet agencies and several state departments.
• Power companies must reduce emissions to 2000 levels by 2017, to 1990 levels by 2025 and to 80 percent of the 1990 levels by 2050.
• State regulators must demand that utilities use wind, solar or other renewable sources to produce 20 percent of their power by 2020.
• Florida will adopt California's motor vehicle emission standards, including a 22 percent reduction by 2012 and a 30 percent reduction by 2016. Those standards are being challenged in court.
Asked if he favored a return to annual inspections for Florida vehicles, a widely unpopular program that ended years ago, Crist said he preferred to pressure automakers into improving engines.
BEARING THE COST
No costs were detailed or even discussed, but most seemed likely to be borne by private industry, though they could be passed along to consumers in the form of higher prices and rates.
The varied forces at the conference -- activists, utility and other corporate officials, lobbyists, entrepreneurs -- largely lauded the effort and its goals. But they expressed awareness that the true test will come as specific plans are mapped to meet the general targets.
Challenges include technological limitations, financial constraints and competition from developing -- and less environmentally sensitive -- nations in Asia and elsewhere.
Michael Williams, a spokesman for Florida Power & Light, said his company already is recognized within the industry as a ''clean'' utility but is eager to move forward -- in ways to be determined.
'The governor has set the bar very high, and now we all have to go back and say, `OK, how do we get there?' '' Williams said.
Schwarzenegger said he has learned that some business interests might try to derail efforts to reduce pollution, even those sponsored by Republicans, who had been viewed as more sympathetic to business than Democrats.
As an example of what he faced, he mentioned a campaign in Michigan that accuses him of harming the auto industry.
'They have billboards that say, `Arnold to Michigan: Drop dead,' but that's not what I'm saying,'' Schwarzenegger told the crowd. 'What I'm saying is, `Arnold to Michigan: Get off your butts.' ''
He said Crist was joining him as a Republican governor who is ''defying conventional wisdom'' by adopting a program that could be seen as harmful to business and the economy.
''But we won't have an economy if we destroy our environment,'' Schwarzenegger said.
In addition, the Bush Administration has blocked progress at every turn, he said, compelling a growing number of governors to make an end run around Washington.
''They are not looking to Washington for leadership any more,'' Schwarzenegger said. ``They want to do their own thing.''
Finding a path through those minefields is essential, Crist and others said, especially for Florida.
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
The nation's fourth most populous state, Florida ranks third in total energy consumption -- and is still gaining an average of 980 residents a day. In addition, 70 percent of its electricity is produced by fossil fuels, which pollute the atmosphere with carbon emissions.
''State government is the largest single enterprise within Florida,'' Crist said. ``It makes sense for us to lead by example, and over the course of this summit, we will begin that leadership.''
He and supporters said that by the end of the two-day conference, little doubt remained that an important corner had been turned -- not only for the state but for the nation.
''What happens in Florida does not stay in Florida,'' said Larry Schweiger, chief executive officer of the National Wildlife Federation. ``Florida is now in the eye of a great storm.''
I just came back from Maine. - Passed through NH and could tell I was in NH instantly by the miles of closed factories along I 95 and the sky high taxes.
Lots of little wine fields and cheese makers in the ruins. Scenic.
Not as bad as Massholy than thee, I admit, although the locals do share a common curious and unearned snobbery.
‘’State government is the largest single enterprise within Florida,’’ Crist said.
This is the whole problem nationwide.
Click on POGW graphic for full GW rundown
New!!: Dr. John Ray's
GREENIE WATCH
Ping me if you find one I've missed.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
• State regulators must demand that utilities use wind, solar or other renewable sources to produce 20 percent of their power by 2020.
• Florida will adopt California's motor vehicle emission standards, including a 22 percent reduction by 2012 and a 30 percent reduction by 2016. Those standards are being challenged in court.
GOOD! All three of these need to be challenged in court. Who does Crist think he is, il Duce? Since when does a governor merely dictate to companies and citizenry how to live their lives--without the legislature's (aka the people's) approval? Is this kind of action even constitutional?
I have no problem with Crist ordering government buildings to "go green"...that is, cut down on energy use....but this idiocy of making ordinary joes pay out the nose for his carbon-cutting fetish is ridiculous.
Asked if he favored a return to annual inspections for Florida vehicles, a widely unpopular program that ended years ago, Crist said he preferred to pressure automakers into improving engines.
What a friggin' idiot. The automakers WERE improving engines, Chuckles. And they continue to do that...your "pressure" isn't needed, and will in fact merely increase the cost to the consumer. Geez, can we take this guy, tie him down in a chair in front of Dr. Sowell, pry his eyes open like in "A Clockwork Orange" and teach him some friggin' economics???!!??
No costs were detailed or even discussed, but most seemed likely to be borne by private industry, though they could be passed along to consumers in the form of higher prices and rates.
NO S--T, SHERLOCK!!!!! Well, lookey here....a news writer with some COMMON SENSE AND INTELLIGENCE. I just wish this part of the story hadn't been buried in the middle of the article. It ought to be at the very top: consumers forced to pay higher prices is the real story here.
Sorry for the rant, folks, but Crist is really really really really really really off the reservation here.
I made phone calls for the guy and asked people to vote for him in the general election. This action is WRONG as WRONG can be.
I just fired off this letter to Charlie, via the Governor’s website:
Dear Governor Crist:
Although I voted for you in the 2006 election, please be advised there is no way I will make the same mistake in the next Governor’s election. Your ridiculous pandering to unproven “science” through your executive order concerning greenhouse gas emissions, has cost you any future vote for yourself, by me, in any election in which you are on the ticket, EVER.
Perhaps you should consider moving to California, where they might appreciate your style.
I vote a straight Republican ticket in every election. I certainly made a mistake in voting for you.
How about letting the Legislature legislate and keep your useless ideas to yourself.
Every day that passes brings more doubt to the theory of Anthropogenic Global Warming, your interest in this fad is absurd.
I would, however, strongly support a recall of your reckless administration.
Sincerely,
xxxxxxxxxxxx
Sugarloaf Key, Fl.
I was thinking about moving out of Florida, but never thought seriously about doing it...until now.
Great. Just what we need. Fl is having a wave of foreclosures, taxes and homeowner’s insurance is killing us, and people are starting to reject FL as the state of retirement. They certainly don’t come here for the schooling or high salaries.
So what does the governor do? Put MORE expensive burdens on us! Yes!
The thing is people here do have a special love for the environment and many will fall for the twaddle.
My way of dealing with this would be smaller government, not grener government. In my experience their are overlapping duplicate bureaucracies falling all over each other. Reorganize and close some down. Problem solved.
FPL is a leader in wind farms and owns them across the country, but not in FL. However, I knew a woman who worked security for the CEO and saw plans for offshore windmills 20 years ago. They must be waiting til they can get subsidies, or something. I like windmills, but I head the warnings of power experts. We seems to be on a fools errand that will lead to blackouts everywhere.
“Stroke of the pen, law of the land.”
NOT cool in my book.
Tom Gallagher ran as a social conservative first, Florida will never elect a purely social conservative. We really don’t care who you sleep with or marry, what concerns us is protecting our property value and fixing the insurance & property tax crisis. A platform upon which Crist ran and has now failed with. I expect Charlie to be a one-term Governor.
I have long wondered why the government has preached solar to the populace
yet they have not installed solar equipment in state/local buildings. Government schools
should also be outfitted with solar assist equipment, do they really
think we are that unaware or informed.....Oh wait I know the answer to that
That’s what I was just thinking....
susie
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