Reject California emissions standards

California emissions standards are not right for Florida

In representing the interests of Florida agriculture, I am deeply concerned that Gov. Crist has directed the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to begin the rulemaking process to adopt the California auto emission standards, rather than the federal government’s CAFE standards.

Florida Farm Bureau does not support Florida’s adoption of the California emissions standards, which would come with more costs and less choice. Adopting California’s standards would require automakers to meet dramatically higher fuel economy requirements than those just enacted by Congress and would create a system requiring state-by-state compliance. According to a study released by the California Air Resources Board earlier this year, California standards would require a 44 mpg standard by 2020 – nine mpg higher than the standard Congress established.

I am also concerned that the state would be tying itself forever to California's unelected rulemaking body. Anytime California changes this law, Florida's law would also change. I have written an op-ed piece for Florida media outlets and I am posting it here. The piece goes into more detail about the rules Florida consumers would be subject to if the Governor's order comes to pass.