Cleaner cars mean cleaner air, better choices and more cash in your wallet. Florida is now poised to join much of the country in shifting to cleaner cars that will emit much less global warming pollution. This would lead to vehicles that use less gas, get better mileage, and make Florida greener.

At the ERC meeting Dec 2, the auto industry vigorously pursued a weakening amendment that would have effectively gutted the proposal. Their amendment failed by a 3-4 vote, setting the stage for final passage. · Jon Ullman and our lobbyist Sue Mullins helped save the day at a crucial point in the debate when the ERC wanted to know more about economic impacts. Ullman and Mullins persuaded the DEP legislative director to intercept Department Secretary Mike Sole at the airport and have him postpone his flight and return to the ERC meeting. Sole did a masterful job answering commissioners’ concerns on economic impacts and, more importantly, showed his resolve to get the clean car rule adopted. Sierra Club generated more than 1,200 grassroots emails and calls to Governor Crist, lobbied commissioners and organized a Florida clean car show/media event to help secure this win. Major coalition partners included Earthjustice, Audubon of Florida, Florida Wildlife Federation and Environmental Defense.

Next step: Florida Legislature in the Spring. Please send your thanks to Governor Crist and Florida DEP Secretary Mike Sole and the ERC Commission. Then, stay tuned because there will be a major fight in the Florida Legislature in April.

The federal Clean Air Act allows other states to adopt California 's tougher auto emission standards. So far, 14 states have adopted the standards, and another six, including Florida , are considering doing so. The Florida Clean Car Rule brings California ’s stronger vehicle emissions standards to our state.

Thank GOVERNOR CRIST at (850) 488-7146 or SEND HIM A Than You Note via FAX: (850) 487-0801 or EMAIL HIM AT: Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com

Background

Adoption of Florida ’s Clean Car rule for new motor vehicles sold in Florida is vital to the state’s efforts to resolve many energy, environmental, and health issues, and to position Florida as a leader in combating climate change, including the following:

Energy: More stringent emissions standards will lower gas consumption and promote energy independence. The Clean Car Rule could lead to a reduction in gasoline use in Florida of as much as 1.6 billion gallons annually in 2020. In addition to saving energy, it will also help in the form of savings at the gas pump due to decreased demand.

Greenhouse gases: Florida ’s Rules follow California’s and will significantly lower carbon emissions. With its low-lying coastal lands, environmentally important estuaries, economically important beaches, and sensitive water supplies, global warming presents Florida with more to lose than any other state. It’s important that our state act quickly and strongly to control greenhouse gases. Since 43% of Florida ’s carbon dioxide emissions come from the transportation sector—two-thirds of which come from motor vehicles alone— Florida cannot achieve its goals for greenhouse gas reductions without reducing these emissions.

Ground-level ozone: California ’s standards for motor vehicle emissions include lower levels of smog-forming pollutants. At present, Florida has ten counties that are noncompliant with the Clean Air Act levels for ground level ozone, which causes or aggravates a number of human health conditions and slows plant growth. Nitrogen oxides also enter surface waters with rain, adding to their nutrient loads, and degrading water quality.

For more information on the Clean Car rule, visit:

Sierra Club Clean Car Campaign