Florida Executive Order Calls for the State to Reduce Greenhouse Gases

Crist signed two other related executive orders: one outlining strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the state and another creating the Florida Governor's Action Team on Energy and Climate Change. Coinciding with the three executive orders, Crist signed a partnership agreement with Germany and the United Kingdom in which Crist “committed to partnering with Germany and the United Kingdom to discuss and promote initiatives that broaden the Kyoto Protocol” and committed to increasing “climate friendly-trade” between Florida and Germany and between Florida and the United Kingdom.

“Florida is providing the moral leadership needed to preserve our state’s beautiful natural environment, and state government is leading by example by taking immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Crist said. “However, our actions do not stop here. During the next few months, Florida’s Action Team on Energy and Climate Change will develop further recommendations for our state’s long-term climate-friendly efforts.”

State Will Create a “Governmental Carbon Scorecard”

The executive order for the state government – titled “Leadership by Example: Immediate Actions to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Florida State Government – calls for the state to measure its greenhouse gas emissions, which will be detailed on a “governmental carbon scorecard.”

The executive order then calls for the Florida government to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 10 percent by 2012, 25 percent by 2017 and 40 percent by 2025.

Crist noted that the state will use several strategies to achieve those goals. Among those strategies:

• Newly constructed state buildings will be energy-efficient and will use solar panels whenever possible.
  
• Office space leased in the future will be in energy-efficient buildings.
• Purchased state vehicles will be fuel-efficient and will use ethanol and biodiesel when available.
  
• The state government will seek to partner with an energy-efficient rental car company for the 2009 contract.

The executive order for reducing greenhouse gas emissions within the rest of the state calls for Florida to require electric utilities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 80 percent of 1990 levels by 2050 and for the state to adopt California's motor vehicle emissions standards, which are pending EPA approval.