Crist unveils greener future

[Tony_FLADEM]

Source: St. Petersburg Times

Gov. Charlie Crist said Tuesday he plans to sharply reduce Florida's emissions of greenhouse gases, triggering sweeping changes that could affect every industry in the state.


Crist's move, which will take place as part of his global warming summit in Miami this week, will make Florida the first state in the Southeast to embrace what's called a cap-and-trade system to control the gases believed to cause global warming. The way it works: Companies polluting beyond their cap could buy credits from other companies whose emissions were below their cap

I think that as a state, beautiful as Florida is, we need to be a leader controlling climate change and protecting our natural resources," Crist said in an interview with the St. Petersburg Times. "It's vital to Florida's future."

Crist will impose the new rules by signing a series of three executive orders Friday, the last day of his summit, where he will be joined by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has championed a similar effort in western states.


Read more: www.sptimes.com/2007/07/11/State/Crist_unveils_greener.shtml

[jsamuel]

1. It is amazing that a Republican governor can do more for liberal causes than a Dem can.

The Dem would be eaten alive. The Republican can do whatever they want.

[Mike Daniels]

3. If you check various discussion boards you'll find that Republicans hate Crist

and would love to have Jeb back in his place.

[monmouth]

2. Reps are whining loudly about Crist, call him a RINO. Could be but

he is doing a great job in my opinion, so far for Florida. As a Dem I'm quite impressed with him....

[AlCzervik]

4. Florida Du'ers, what makes Crist a republican? Does he believe in any of the

gop platforms?

[Doctor_J]

5. Maybe he just calls himself a repuke to get elected.

That would certainly make it easier in FL.

[1monster]

6. But if the company is simply buying credits that are not used by another company and

is not reducing its pollution, where is the loss in greenhouse gases produced???

It sounds like a shell game to me.

[Javaman]

12. Shhhhh stop that, do you want to deminish all the cheering here for a repuke? nt

[kestrel91316]

7. Sorry, Guv. Your state is going to go under regardless of what you do.

The rest of the US and most of the rest of the world don't give a damn about greenhouse gas emissions and global warming......

[MasonJar]

8. I agree. Where is there diminishment?

[Akoto]

9. As a Floridian, I have to admit ...

Crist has been a pleasant surprise. He seems to have his head on straight when it comes to a lot of important issues.

I'm sure there are many other ways of addressing our environmental problems, and no single method will be perfect. Something being done is better than nothing being done, though, so I applaud him for the effort.

[kansasblue]

10. I have to admit.... I really like Crist!

[Scurrilous]

11. Arnold at side, Crist signs environmental orders

<snip>

"Gov. Charlie Crist signed a groundbreaking set of environmental protection orders Friday, calling it a framework for a new, more future-friendly way of living and conducting business in Florida.

"State government is leading by example," Crist said. "It is the right thing to do."

It also is a popular thing to do. Symbolizing the new star power of environmentalism, celebrity Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California stood at Crist's side after uttering the line everyone expected:

'We have to say, `Hasta la vista, baby' to greenhouse gases."

Friday's action propelled the state -- and Crist -- into the forefront of a new, still evolving but already politically popular struggle to confront the threats of global warming.

Schwarzenegger insisted that this effort represented more than a lot of political 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."

http://www.miamiherald.com/416/story/169761.html


Florida Plan Will Focus on Emissions and Climate

<snip>

"Gov. Charlie Crist of Florida has drafted a series of executive orders to slow climate change and cut the state’s emission of heat-trapping gases by more than 25 percent, to 1990 levels, over the next 18 years. By 2050, the goal is to cut emissions to one-fifth of those levels.

One order would require state officials to find ways to cut emissions from tailpipes and smokestacks. Another would set new energy-efficiency standards for state buildings and cars and require that 20 percent of the state’s electric power eventually came from renewable sources “with a strong focus on solar and wind energy.” Current federal calculations show that Florida gets 2 percent of its electricity from such sources, down from 2.9 percent in 1990.

Whether Mr. Crist, a popular Republican, can single-handedly mandate strict new controls on electric utilities and other industries remains to be seen.

At least one major initiative on Mr. Crist’s agenda — copying California’s requirements for reducing vehicle emissions — could not take effect under current federal regulations because Florida is not eligible to adopt such strict rules. Also, the orders of one governor can be nullified by a successor and may provide problematic underpinnings for policies reaching four decades into the future.

Mr. Crist’s moves are intended to put him and his state in the company of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California, Gov. Jon S. Corzine of New Jersey, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg of New York and other state and local officials who have taken steps to slow climate change and moved into a regulatory arena the Bush administration has largely shunned."

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/12/us/12florida.html?ref=us

[AllexxisF1]

13. ...

As a Floridian I to have been greatly impressed with Crist in his short tenior. I think he is following the same strategy as Arnold, sign up as a Republican but govern as a democrat.

[Maribelle]

14. It seems to me Charlie Crist is a blooming enigma.

He has praised the corrupt JEB as the best governor Florida ever had; but on the other hand he appears to be distancing himself from JEB and even has made precise yet tactful statements regarding The Schiavo Case, which appear to contradict what JEB did.


From Crist's mission statement:

I will work with leaders from both political parties to fight for less taxes, less government and more freedom. Together, we will tackle soaring insurance premiums and rising property taxes. We will create a world-class education system. We will protect our children from predators and reduce Florida’s murder rate. We will lower drug costs and fight to provide health insurance for uninsured in Florida. We will provide opportunities for our seniors to live with dignity and independence, and we will protect Florida’s incredible natural resources.


Sometimes I think Charlie Crist is emulating the beloved Lawston Chiles, or at least wants to be loved as much.