As Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger continues to pressure the federal government to approve California’s application for an auto emissions waiver, he today applauded Republican Florida Governor Charlie Crist for adopting California’s strict tailpipe emissions standards. Governor Crist signed executive orders to implement aggressive policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote alternative energy and increase energy efficiency in Florida, the 4th most populous state in the nation. The Florida Governor also proposed a Low Carbon Fuel Standard modeled after California’s groundbreaking policy to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels.

“With our numerous similarities, including our scores of citizens who want to protect the environment, California and Florida are great partners in the fight against climate change. I am very proud to see another governor wanting to join California and the growing number of states who are not waiting for Washington to lead on this issue,” said Governor Schwarzenegger.
“Today’s action by Governor Crist helps California tremendously as we send a strong message to the federal government to approve our auto emissions waiver.”

“I know Governor Crist intends to rollback greenhouse gas emissions just as we are doing in California. And he will build great momentum with his neighboring states just as we have done in California with great partnerships between us and states in the Northeast and West and with provinces in Canada and with Great Britain.”

Included in the executive orders signed by Governor Crist are goals to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions similar to the landmark Global Warming Solutions Act signed by Governor Schwarzenegger last year. Governor Crist also called for strategies for increasing the amount of renewable transportation fuels and for reducing the carbon content of fuels, modeled after the Low Carbon Fuel Standard announced by Governor Schwarzenegger earlier this year.

Governor Schwarzenegger announced the world’s first Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) for transportation fuels that requires fuel providers to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels sold in California. This first-of-its kind standard firmly establishes sustainable demand for lower-carbon fuels but without favoring one fuel over another. By 2020 the standard will reduce the carbon intensity of California's passenger vehicle fuels by at least 10 percent.

Besides Florida, eleven other states that have adopted California's vehicle emissions standards including: Vermont, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington and Oregon.

On December 21, 2005, the California Air Resources Board (ARB) requested a waiver of federal preemption of California's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards. The waiver would allow California to enact emissions standards to reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles. The waiver was requested after the ARB developed regulations based on a 2002 California law.

Last month, Governor Schwarzenegger notified the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that, if they do not act on California’s waiver request, the state will file a lawsuit against the federal government six months and one day after the required notice was originally sent on April 26, 2007.

In April, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling saying the EPA has the authority to regulate greenhouse gases.

In letters sent on April 10, 2006 and October 24, 2006 to President Bush, Governor Schwarzenegger reiterated the urgency of approving California's request to address global warming.

Last September, the Governor signed the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, California’s landmark bill that established a first-in-the-world comprehensive program of regulatory and market mechanisms to achieve real, quantifiable, cost-effective reductions of greenhouse gases. The law will reduce carbon emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020 and to 80 percent below 1990 levels by the year 2050.

Also last year, the Governor signed legislation to complete his Million Solar Roofs Plan to provide 3,000 megawatts of additional clean energy and reduce the output of greenhouse gases by 3 million tons, equivalent to taking one million cars off the road. The $2.9 billion incentive plan for homeowners and building owners who install solar electric systems will lead to one million solar roofs in California by the year 2018.

Governor Schwarzenegger signed legislation in September of 2004 creating the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, establishing funding for environmental preservation while providing support for economic sustainability across 25 million acres of land from the Oregon border to Kern County. As California’s largest conservancy, the Sierra Nevada is providing grants to local governments for environmental protection, resource conservation, recreational opportunities and economic growth.