Florida Serve to Preserve Summit on Climate Change 2008 Report

    

Above, left:  Governor Charlie Crist opens the Green Technology Expo at the 2008 Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate Change. More than 50 businesses and other organizations presented information and demonstrated projects that stimulate investment in renewable and alternative energy technologies and help increase energy efficiency.

Above, right:  Governor Crist presents California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger with the inaugural Serve to Preserve Leadership Award in recognition for his efforts to address global climate change. Governor Crist praised Governor Schwarzenegger for leading California’s effort to establish the world’s first Low Carbon Fuel Standard for transportation fuels and for signing landmark bipartisan legislation to reduce California’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Governor Crist Hosts Second Annual Climate Change Summit

Florida Governor Charlie Crist presided over the entirety of the second annual Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate Change held this past week  in Miami. The 2008 edition of the event focused on strategies for stimulating economic development in renewable and alternative energy “clean” technologies as well as “greening” Florida’s business community.

Among other policy initiatives announced at the Summit, the Governor encouraged the transformation of Florida’s energy marketplace with the goal of enhancing fuel diversity, lessening dependence on foreign sources of oil and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Summit attendance comprised industry leaders, policy makers, academics, scientists, environmentalists and members of Florida’s business community.

Prior to the Summit opening, Governor Crist announced a an environmental land acquisition strategy designed to restore and preserve the Florida Everglades by authorizing the  South Florida Water Management District to begin negotiating an agreement to acquire as much as 187,000 acres of agricultural land owned by the United States Sugar Corporation. The vast tracts of land would then be used to reestablish a part of the connection between Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades through a managed system of storage and treatment and, at the same time, would safeguard the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers and estuaries.  This public purchase of nearly 300 square miles and spanning four counties in South Florida (a land mass as large as New York City) would entail a State investment of $1.75 billion in cash and certificates of participation to finance the acquisition.

In his opening keynote Summit address, entitled ““Green Technology Drives Green Economies” the Governor confirmed the consensus and support of State stakeholders, business leaders and all political parties in the climate change initiatives effected last year, which included three executive orders increased energy efficiency, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and increased use of alternative and renewable energy technologies.

By correlating environmental protection with Florida’s economic success, Governor Crist appealed to Florida businesses to shift their focus to “greening.”  Crist also reminded the audience about the devastating effects of climate change on weather patterns and how, when combined with the unique Florida landscape, catastrophe could follow.   In his speech, the Governor also clarified his position on offshore drilling by assuring that he will seek such drilling only when it is possible to do so “far enough, safe enough, and clean enough” to protect Florida’s shorelines.

Following his keynote address, Governor Crist celebrated the grand opening of the Summit’s first Green Technology Expo, prior to which he officially signed House Bill 7135, a comprehensive energy and economic development package designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and encouraging investment in alternative and renewable energy technologies.

House Bill 7135 was elaborated upon further in the next session, which featureda panel of energy efficiency experts and was moderated by Secretary Mike Sole of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.  Sole described the provisions in the bill, which call for energy efficient government buildings and vehicles, grant programs for local communities seeking to reduce energy consumption, standards for building codes and appliances to increase energy efficiency, the creation of cap-and-trade provisions on greenhouse gas emitters and the establishment of the Florida Energy and Climate Commission, which is expected to be the center of the State’s energy and economic policy on climate change.  The panel endorsed House Bill 7135, while also elaborating on its future implementation.

Reiterating Crist’s opening remarks were Lord Adair Turner, the Chairman of the United Kingdom Climate Change Committee, who educated the audience in a keynote address on the actual costs of climate change and how it can be mitigated through energy effieciency.  Lord Turner specificially referenced how climate change can lead to more powerful and destructive hurricanes, which leads to more devastation and a resultant loss of 15-20 percent of a nation’s gross domestic product. 

Governor Crist and Gulf Power Company, a Southern Company subsidiary operating in Northwest Florida later announced two innovative programs that are expected to result in energy and money savings for consumers. Gulf Power’s EarthCents Initiative includes energy-saving programs such as geothermal heating and cooling and EnergySelect, a customer-controlled energy management program that includes interactive thermostats and smart meters to reduce power use during high demand times. EarthCents also gives customers free compact fluorescent bulbs for completing an energy audit.

The Governor highlighted a portion of the EarthCents initiative that provides incentives to customers for installing solar thermal water heaters, including a financing program through SunTrust Bank as well as state and company rebates. Participating customers are eligible for a federal income tax credit of $1,200 as well as save an average of $240 per year on energy costs.

Governor Crist also recognized Florida Power & Light’s announcement of three major solar energy projects throughout central and South Florida, which now have positioned Florida as the second leading state in the nation for solar energy production. Florida Power & Light will install a total of 110 megawatts of solar energy, including a 25 megawatt solar photovoltaic facility in DeSoto County, one of the world’s largest, and a 10 megawatt solar photovoltaic installation in conjunction with NASA, near the Kennedy Space Station at Cape Canaveral. Additionally, the company is installing a 75 megawatt solar thermal facility at the existing Martin Power Station near Indiantown, the largest single solar thermal facility outside of California and the world’s first solar project connected to a natural gas-fired plant. Together, the three projects will prevent the release of nearly 3.5 million tons of greenhouses gases over the life of the projects, which is the equivalent of removing 25,000 cars from the road.

Recently-elected President of the United States Conference of Mayors amd Miami Mayor Manny Diaz opened the Summit’s second day by recounting Miami’s ventures into becoming a “greener” city.  Mayor Diaz echoed the sentiments of Lord Adair and Governor Crist by reminding the attendees that the “paradise” of South Florida also gives way to “hurricane alley,” and that any change in the global climate will strengthen hurricanes and negatively affect the area.

Dr. Dale Brill, Director of the Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development, moderated a panel of Florida city and county officials that included the Director of Project Development, Policy and Research for the Department of Environment for the City of Chicago.  The panelists compared their individual municipalities’ and counties’ initiatives on how to promote eco-friendly technology and implement within their own governments.  Initiatives included retrofitting older buildings to be more energy efficient, educating the youth on alternate fuel sources, and incentivizing construction companies with faster building permit approval for those building Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified buildings.

Later, Consul Generals from around the world joined Dr. Hermann Scheer, a member of the German Parliament, and Governor Crist to discuss energy conservation and climate control on an international level.  Emphasizing the Governor’s international partnerships in combating climate change, the roundtable of leaders discussed multi-national policies to both protect natural resources as well as promote the worldwide economy. 

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger served as the keynote speaker on the second day of the Summit and was presented by Governor Crist with the inaugural Serve to Preserve Leadership Award in recognition for his efforts to address global climate change. Governor Crist praised Governor Schwarzenegger for leading California’s effort to establish the world’s first Low Carbon Fuel Standard for transportation fuels and for signing landmark bipartisan legislation to reduce California’s greenhouse gas emissions. Governor Crist also applauded the California Governor for moving forward requirements for increased renewable energy.

Also during the second day, Governor Crist and Lt. Governor Kottkamp joined Dr. Dale A. Brill, Director of the Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development and other business leaders to talk about going “green” in the business world. The Governor and business community discussed incentives as well as challenges to upgrading business practices and investing in alternative and renewable energy technologies.

Following the Business Roundtable, Governor Crist joined international representatives to talk about international policies, practices and partnerships that could help nations reduce greenhouse gas emissions and encourage investment in alternative and renewable energy technologies. The Governor also joined Dr. Hermann Scheer, Member of Parliament for the Federal Republic of Germany, as well as the Consul General for the United Kingdom, Israel, Spain, France and Japan to discuss actions taken around the world as well as opportunities to form global partnerships to protect natural resources and stimulate the worldwide economy through “green” technologies.

During the Summit closing ceremonies, Governor Crist unveiled the Alliance for Sustainable Air Transportation (“ASAT”), which is a new non-profit, public-private partnership designed to improve air travel with increased environmental and economic benefits.   Comprised of a broad coalition of leaders who share a vision for accelerated implementation of a sustainable air transportation system. ASAT represents a diverse group of federal, state, regional and local government entities, industry organizations, associations and academic institutions.

On hand for the announcement was Assistant FAA Administrator Lynn Tierney, who commended his extraordinary efforts to promote awareness of environmental solutions and willingness to help craft strategies to bring increased safety, efficiency and climate consciousness to Aviation, and Bob Pearce, deputy director of the Joint Planning and Development Office.

ASAT seeks to further environmentally sound and economically viable air transportation by working with the FAA and its other partners to help accelerate implementation of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). NextGen will transform the air transportation system by leveraging new technologies, such as satellite-based navigation, surveillance, and networking, as well as use of more efficient aircraft and under-utilized airspace, to help meet future demands and avoid gridlock in the sky and in the nation’s airports.

A key element of NextGen is environmental protection that contributes to sustained aviation growth, by focusing on issues of noise, air and water quality, global climate, and energy. ASAT’s strategy is to support the implementation of NextGen regionally, locally, and in stages, through prototypes that favor the greatest benefits in the shortest time. According to the Government Accounting Office (GAO), NextGen may reduce carbon emissions in aviation by up to 12 percent, while lowering fuel consumption and delays for passengers.

Described as a complex, nationwide plan, NextGen may accommodate two to three times the current air traffic levels by shifting from ground-based air traffic management to satellite-based, cockpit-enabled operations. ASAT will achieve its goals for NextGen by facilitating the creation of additional state, regional and local prototype solutions, which will generate early successes that can be built upon and developed into a replicable blueprint that will support nationwide implementation.

 

To read the Governor Crist’s 2008 Summit keynote address, click here.

To view the complete Summit agenda, which includes a link to speaker biographies, click here.

 

 

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