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Stiffer Emission Rules Proposed

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By LINDSAY PETERSON

lpeterson@tampatrib.com

Published: November 29, 2008

State officials return to the Florida Environmental Regulation Commission next week to argue that Florida should adopt California's tough emission standards for cars and light trucks.

It's the first major test of Gov. Charlie Crist's multipronged effort to cut greenhouses gases across the state. The commission planned to vote at its meeting in October, but delayed the vote to gather more information.

Under pressure from industry lobbyists, three of the seven commissioners are leaning against the change, three are leaning toward it and one is undecided, said Eric Draper of Audubon of Florida.

If the measure passes at the next commission meeting in Tallahassee on Tuesday, it will also have to be approved by the state Legislature.

The standards would allow the statewide sale of only vehicles that meet designated levels of carbon dioxide emissions. Those levels are 20 percent to 30 percent lower than current emissions from many vehicles, although many others, including Hondas and Toyotas, already meet the standard.
Industry lobbyists say the rules would increase vehicle prices and make certain models of light trucks hard to find in Florida.

State Department of Environmental Protection officials counter that the rules would also increase fuel efficiency and the gas savings would more than make up for the price increases. Also, they say, the emissions are measured on a fleetwide average for the state. So if one type of car is over the limit, the excess could be offset by lower emissions in another type.

"The rule is extremely flexible," said Greg DeAngelo, state DEP project engineer. "It allows lots of ways for manufacturers to comply. In 2013, for example, if they have a debit, they have five years to make that up, so we wouldn't be looking at any penalties until 2018 or '19."

These standards are important for Florida, DeAngelo said. Cars and trucks are responsible for more than one-fourth of the greenhouse gases created statewide.

Florida is also at risk to the effect of greenhouse gases and global warming, Draper said. "With low coastlines, it's highly at risk. That is the reason Crist has advanced this idea."

"Florida is ground zero for global warming," said Mark Cooper of the Consumer Federation of America, which is helping with the lobbying effort in favor of the new standards. "We think Florida should be taking a lead on this."

In addition to Florida, 14 other states have proposed adopting California's emissions standards. The proposals have not gone into effect because after California adopted its rules in 2004, the Environmental Protection Agency under the Bush administration denied its request to diverge from federal fuel efficiency requirements. Draper said the Obama administration is expected to grant that waiver.
Industry lobbyists fighting the change argue that it's confusing for states to have different vehicle efficiency rules from the federal government. They had asked the environmental commission to postpone its vote in October because they are expecting new, tighter rules from the Bush administration. As of Wednesday, no announcement was made.

"The federal standard would bring Florida the same emissions benefits without having to give up its authority to California," said Charles Territo, with the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.

Draper said that over time, the federal standards won't limit greenhouse gases as much as California's will. The more important question, Cooper said, is whether Florida should adopt the standards it wants "versus letting the feds do it. ... You can't trust the feds to protect the environment."

If adopted in 2009, the rules will apply to cars produced in 2011.

Reporter Lindsay Peterson can be reached at (813) 259-7834.

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