Greener Cars Effort is in Jeopardy
CIVIC Concern | | 
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Governor Charlie Crist has proposed stricter auto emission standards for Florida, an initiative intended to protect Florida's air quality and fight climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. After garnering support from the Florida Environmental Regulation Commission, the effort hit a setback when a legislative committee voted to find the new rule unconstitutional, sending their opinion on to the legislative committees who will vote on the necessary legislation during the current session.
Because California's air quality regulatory agency existed prior to the passage of the federal Clean Air Act, California's separate standards were grandfathered in when the federal legislation passed. Now, the federal government allows states to either follow federal emission standards, or adopt California's stricter standards. Gov. Crist's proposal would have Florida adopt California's rules.
Environmentalists are urging states to adopt the stricter rules to put market pressure on auto makers to develop cleaner, more fuel efficient vehicles. The combined populations of Florida and California would create a large market for the cleaner cars. Automakers oppose the changes, arguing that the timeline is too quick and that consumers will be forced to pay a premium.
For more info or to learn how to take action, check out this article.
What do you think? Should the Legislature find a way to constitutionally join California in enacting stricter auto emissions standards? Or do you think the new rule is unnecessary or too costly?
