Politics

Crist vetoes energy measure

He says that in some aspects it is actually a step backward.

By JENNIFER LIBERTO
Published June 21, 2007

TALLAHASSEE - In a surprise move, Gov. Charlie Crist vetoed an energy bill late Wednesday evening, because he said it didn't advance clean energy policy enough.

Crist said the 74-page bill, which the Legislature passed unanimously, added too many bureaucratic layers that would get in the way of curbing greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to global warming.

"While this bill purports to advance these important goals, it unfortunately does not go far enough and, in some instances, takes a step backward, " Crist wrote in his veto letter. "We can do better. We must do better."

For example, the massive bill set up a number of studies and councils tasked to research energy projects. Crist said he wants to move more aggressively than that.

"I don't want there to be too much bureaucracy for us to get better energy, " Crist said to reporters early Wednesday, suggesting he might veto the bill.

The bill included:

- $20-million for an experimental ethanol plant at the University of Florida and $3.5-million in grants for construction of three green schools.

- Goals for state fleets to use fuel made from plant materials.

- Requirements that all city and county buildings be constructed to national standards for energy efficiency and environmental impact.

- A $37.5-million financial boost to an existing state program to turn Florida crops into fuel.

- Requirements for Department of Environmental Protection to develop greenhouse gas inventories and report back to the Legislature.

The governor's office said they are confident the tax incentives and the millions of dollars for research into alternative fuels will remain intact, because Crist had already supported them in the budget.

A few Republican lawmakers reached by phone Wednesday said they were shocked to hear that Crist was even considering vetoing the bill, especially since it included ideas touted in the House's 100 Innovative Ideas for Florida's Future.

"I don't really understand why he'd do that, " said Rep. Stan Mayfield, R-Vero Beach, a few hours before the veto was released. He didn't return calls after the veto was issued.

Environmentalists did not publicly criticize or oppose the bill when the Legislature passed it. But several pointed out that much of the policy they like in the bill could be accomplished through executive orders, like moving toward biofuels.

"While there were many very good elements in the bill, the governor is poised to develop a comprehensive energy policy that will embrace all the substantive issues in this legislation, " said Susan Glickman of the Natural Resources Defense Council.

[Last modified June 20, 2007, 22:32:29]