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Eco-Friendly Car Show Promotes Florida Emissions Proposal

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By CATHERINE DOLINSKI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 1, 2008

Updated: 12/01/2008 11:22 am

TALLAHASSEE - Environmentalists put on an enviro-friendly car show at the Capitol this morning to promote a tougher new emissions standard championed by Gov. Charlie Crist.

The state Environmental Regulation Commission plans to vote Tuesday on Crist's proposal to lower greenhouse gas emissions from Florida automobiles. The Sierra Club, Earthjustice and other environmental groups tried to drum up support today by showing off a line of cars that will meet the proposed standard.

Among the cars and trucks they showcased: a Ford Focus, a Toyota Prius hybrid, a Honda Civic hybrid, a Chevrolet Tahoe hybrid, a Chevrolet Silverado that runs on ethanol as well as gasoline and a plug-in Prius that can run 40 miles on battery power alone.

Hybrids and other alternative fuel vehicles are not widely available in Florida yet, the environmentalists acknowledged. Toughening the emissions standard would change that, they said.

Crist's plan would apply emissions standards used by California to new cars and light trucks sold or leased in Florida. That has many of Florida's auto dealers up in arms, since they argue it could add thousands of dollars to the cost of a new car or truck. Proponents counter that the new standard would save car and truck owners as much as $2,300 in gas costs, in addition to reducing pollutants.

On Tuesday, state engineer Greg DeAngelo of the Division of Air Resource Management will provide more information on the proposed rule to the state commission, which heard testimony in October but delayed voting.

Washington, Pennsylvania and New York are among the roughly dozen other states that have adopted the California standard or are in the process of doing so. Some of those states intend to start inspecting vehicles for compliance, though Florida's environment officials have said Florida will not do so.

Reporter Catherine Dolinski can be reached at (850) 222-8382.

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