Broward's News Beat- Fighting Fake News One Story At A Time: Governor Crist Signs Executive Orders to Reduce Greenhouse Gases

Dear Friends,

Today I issued three Executive Orders that put into place a new direction for Florida's energy future. I also signed partnership agreements with Germany and the United Kingdom outlining an agreement that focuses on climate policies and mutual economic benefits. We are providing the moral leadership needed to preserve our state's beautiful natural environment. State government is leading by example by taking immediate action to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. However, our actions do not stop when this Florida Summit on Global Climate Change concludes. In fact, this is where we take action.

The three Executive Orders signed today represent my commitment to addressing global climate change. We will reduce Florida's greenhouse gases. We will increase our energy efficiency. And we will pursue more renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind energy, and alternative energy, such as ethanol and hydrogen.

The first Executive Order is titled, "Leadership by Example: Immediate Actions to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Florida State Government." We will first measure greenhouse gas emissions created by state government. Then, we will then work to reduce emissions – 10 percent by 2012, 25 percent by 2017, and 40 percent by 2025.

State buildings constructed in the future will be energy efficient and have solar panels whenever possible. Leased office space will be in energy-efficient buildings. When we purchase state vehicles, they will be fuel efficient and use ethanol and biodiesel fuels when available. When we rent cars, they will be energy-efficient, too.

The second Executive Order is titled, "Immediate Actions to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions within Florida." We will adopt maximum emission levels of greenhouse gases for electric utilities and require a reduction of emissions. By 2017, we will scale back to 2000 levels, and then to 1990 levels by 2025 and by 80 percent of 1990 levels by 2050.

We will follow California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's lead and adopt the California motor vehicle emission standards – pending approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of the 22-percent reduction by 2012 and 30-percent reduction by 2016. Appliances sold in Florida will be 15 percent more energy-efficient.

I will ask the Public Service Commission to embrace renewable energy. By 2020, 20 percent of Florida's energy should come from renewable sources, with a focus on solar and wind energy.

The third Executive Order is titled, "Florida Governor's Action Team on Energy and Climate Change." The steps we take today do not stop here. I will appoint diverse stakeholders to an Action Team who will develop further recommendations and an action plan by during the next few months. They will consider recommendations for proposed legislation for the 2008 Legislative Session and beyond.

Germany and the United Kingdom are recognized as worldwide leaders in actively addressing global climate change. Florida will join these great nations in calling for a post-Kyoto Protocol that protects the planet's climate systems by reducing emissions of greenhouse gasses beyond 2012. The State of Florida will exchange delegations with Germany and with the United Kingdom to create a forum for sharing public policy experience and exchanging science and technology, placing a particular emphasis on the sharing of ideas and policies related to energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. The individual partnership agreements will increase climate-friendly trade between the State of Florida and the United Kingdom and the State of Florida and the Federal Republic of Germany.

Global climate change is one of the most important issues we face this century, and we must make every effort to do what is right. We have a responsibility to be good stewards of Florida's natural resources and beautiful surroundings. Our state's future depends on it.

May God continue to bless the great state of Florida,