Charlie Crist's Vision for the Environment

Charlie Crist’s Vision for the Environment
Florida would be nothing if not for the God-given beauty of the state we all call home. Charlie grew
up on Florida’s west coast, spending countless hours fishing, hiking, and hunting with his family. He
believes we deserve a Governor who will protect the Everglades and our beaches, ensure that
every Floridian has clean air to breathe and clean water to drink, and leverage our competitive
advantages as a state to grow our clean energy economy.

As Governor, Charlie Crist will focus on the following:

1. Protecting Florida’s natural lands and water bodies for generations to come

Governors Jeb Bush and Charlie Crist made land acquisition programs a top priority. Finding
money in the budget to fund Florida Forever was a challenge during the global economic recession,
but Charlie was proud to have invested $619
million into Florida Forever over the four years
                                                      “[Florida Forever,] a conservation
he was Governor.1
                                                      program that thrived under Govs.
Rick Scott doesn’t share these priorities. Despite    Jeb Bush and Charlie Crist -- with
the global economic recovery, he has allocated        spending of as much as $300
                                    2
only $27 million to Florida Forever. In contrast,     million a year -- has been cut by
Charlie will restore our state commitment to          more than 90 percent. Down to
investing in land management and acquisition, and     around $25 million this year.”
he supports Amendment 1, the Florida Water and             [Orlando Sentinel, 11/30/2013]
Land Conservation Initiative.

Like many Floridians, Charlie has grave concerns about the discharges of polluted water from Lake
Okeechobee and the extensive damage they are causing to the St. Lucie River estuary, the Indian
River Lagoon, and the Caloosahatchee River. These once-beautiful waters contribute greatly to the
local economy and quality of life along Florida’s coastlines, and the watershed degradation is
breaking the hearts of these communities.

To protect our coastal estuaries, the Everglades, and Florida Bay, Charlie believes we must
find a viable way to send the water south. This will require both the acquisition of critical lands
within the Everglades Agricultural Area and a concerted effort to ensure that the development of
nearby lands does not undermine our Everglades restoration efforts. Charlie will also implement
cooperative programs to work with the landowners north of Lake Okeechobee to find ways to clean
the water before it enters Lake Okeechobee and to dedicate funding that will strengthen the viability
of current efforts in the Northern Everglades. Florida’s Everglades are not only a cherished national
treasure -- they also provide drinking water to 7.9 million Floridians.3

 Political advertisement paid for and approved by Charlie Crist, Democrat, for Governor     Page 1

2. Keeping our water clean and making our water supply last

When we invest in water quality and quantity management, our economy grows. Companies that
learn how to solve water problems in Florida will create jobs here and export their products around
the world.

To protect Florida’s springs, we should create protection zones around springs, where warranted,
and create partnerships that ensure the implementation of programs that protect and restore the
long term viability of both water quality and quantity within their watersheds. Charlie is in favor of
developing policies that combine voluntary cooperation, best management practices, and, where
necessary, numeric standards and restrictions to comprehensively address non-point source
pollution throughout Florida. He also plans to work in a bi-partisan fashion with legislators from both
parties who have proposed springs restoration laws during the past few legislative sessions. We
also need to take action to preserve our state springs and our wetlands, which reduce flooding and
naturally improve water quality.

Our oystermen and farmers along the Apalachicola
deserve access to the clean water that they need to                “This year, [Rick Scott] did
support their livelihoods. Charlie believes the federal            nothing to push a bipartisan
government has not done enough to pressure Georgia to              bill in the Senate that would
accept an equitable resolution to the Apalachicola River           have spent hundreds of
dispute. He will use all legal means at his disposal to            millions of dollars cleaning
resolve the conflict in Florida’s favor. In addition, he will      up the springs.”
personally urge President Obama to keep his promise,               [Tampa Bay Times 9/5/2014]
telling the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to make Atlanta
address this critical water management issue.

Charlie also recognizes the challenges of the future. Florida’s growth has strained our
infrastructure, and a changing climate will test it even more. We need to invest in the replacement,
maintenance and improvement of our infrastructure, including our flood control and water delivery
systems. With the passage of Amendment 1, and the dedication of a funding source for our state
lands, our governmental entities will be able to use other available funds to make these
infrastructure investments without raising taxes.

3. Supporting smart land development policies that enable businesses to flourish, while
   protecting Floridians from ill-conceived, haphazard development projects

Land use development also plays an important role in Florida’s economy. Many of our rural areas
are distressed and will benefit from policies that encourage them to achieve sustainable growth.
We need a governor who will work to achieve both economic development and
environmental sustainability. In Panama City, for example, Governor Crist supported
construction of the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, which was designed to become
the nation’s first LEED certified terminal facility and is the first new international airport to open in
the United States in more than 10 years.4 Its planning and development made extensive use of
sustainable construction materials, set aside 9,600 acres of West Bay coastline, wetlands, and pine
forest, and greatly exceeded requirements set by Florida law for wetlands mitigation, wildlife
management, wastewater treatment, and storm water management.5 Since the airport opened in
2010, it has boosted the local economy by serving nearly three times as many passengers as the
facility it replaced.6

 Political advertisement paid for and approved by Charlie Crist, Democrat, for Governor         Page 2

In contrast, Rick Scott has little concern for sustainable development and actively dismantled
Florida’s previously robust growth management agency and policies. He doesn’t even oppose the
irresponsible development proposal from U.S. Sugar
Corporation and Hilliard Brothers, called Sugar Hill. This       “In contrast to today's
massive development project, covering 67 square miles            restoration efforts, Crist's plan
in Hendry County, calls for the construction of 18,000           to buy U.S. Sugar and retool
homes and 25 million square feet of commercial and               the land to mimic what existed
industrial buildings.7 It’s a major threat to the health of      naturally was lauded as the
the Everglades and the coastal estuaries.                        long-sought missing link in
                                                                 Everglades restoration.”
Florida’s taxpayers have already invested millions into
restoring the natural wonder that is the Everglades. As          [Sarasota Herald-Tribune
governor, Charlie negotiated an option to buy lands in           1/17/2011]
the region. The Sugar Hill plan, which impacts an
environmentally critical and fertile agricultural region, seems like a cynical way to inflate the cost of
any future effort to acquire lands for Everglades restoration. If elected Governor, Charlie will do
everything within his legal authority to ensure that Sugar Hill does not proceed as proposed.

4. Taking action on climate change informed by science, not politics or campaign
   contributions

We need a Governor who takes action on climate change, not one who pretends it doesn’t exist.
The scientific certainty about the link between greenhouse gases and climate change is settled,
much like the certainty of the link between cigarettes and cancer. Ninety-seven percent of climate
scientists and nearly every leading scientific organization worldwide accept that our climate is
changing because of human activities.8,9 Rick Scott pretends to listen to science, yet he ignores the
data and the overwhelming consensus of the world’s
scientists, including those who actively seek to            “[Rick Scott] said in 2010 he was
educate him on this vital issue.                            unconvinced humans were playing
                                                            a role in climate change, and it
Anyone wading through the flood waters on Alton             doesn't appear he has changed his
Road in Miami Beach during a high tide can see that         mind -- no matter how many
we have a problem with climate change.10 While Rick         scientists tell him he's wrong, no
Scott has spent his term denying that climate change        matter how much research shows
exists, Charlie spent his time in office taking strong      that climate change and rising sea
steps to address the problem. As Governor, he               levels are a real problem that will
created the Governor’s Action Team on Energy and            only get more serious if nothing is
Climate, which developed more than fifty policy             done.”
recommendations.11 He also ordered stronger
building codes and required greater energy efficiency       [Sun Sentinel 8/21/2014]
                   12
in state buildings. Rick Scott and his legislative allies
derailed these efforts to protect his corporate donors. What’s more, Gov. Scott signed bills that
repealed Florida’s Energy and Climate Commission13 as well as the state’s solar rebate program14,
and Florida’s Energy and Climate Action Plan recommendations were stalled.

Tallahassee can learn a lot from the current work of our local governments and communities.
Charlie commends the bold leaders involved with the Southeast Florida Regional Climate

 Political advertisement paid for and approved by Charlie Crist, Democrat, for Governor          Page 3

Compact.15 Thanks to their leadership, South Florida is already planning how we can adapt to
climate impacts, despite Rick Scott’s inaction on the issue.

As Governor, Charlie will:

-     Resurrect the Energy and Climate Commission to identify and support evidence-driven
      policies that mitigate the effects of climate change and capitalize on its economic opportunities.

-     Revisit Executive Orders to address climate change. In 2007 Governor Crist issued three
      executive orders that dealt with climate change by reducing the carbon footprint of state
      government, setting maximum greenhouse gas emission levels for Florida utilities, and creating
      the Governor’s Action Team on Energy and Climate Change.16 If elected in November, Charlie
      will once again show decisive leadership, using his constitutional authority to issue orders that
      will help Florida adapt to climate change.

-     Work to require Florida’s utilities to produce 20% of energy from renewables. Creating a
      target for clean energy, known as a renewable portfolio standard, was a priority during
      Charlie’s first term. Rick Scott’s refusal to recognize the need for energy diversification has set
      us back. As Governor, Charlie will put our state back on the right path by pressing the
      legislature and the Public Service Commission to require a 20% renewable energy standard
      from utilities.

Florida is more vulnerable to climate change and sea level rise than any other state in the nation.
With the influence of the big monopoly power companies, reaching consensus in Tallahassee will
not be easy, but we owe it to the next generation of Floridians to stop ignoring reality and start
taking action.

5. Growing our clean energy economy

Charlie believes that taking action on climate change and embracing environmental stewardship is
not just a moral issue – it’s a matter of economic competitiveness. With visionary leadership, we
can transform the Sunshine State into an economic engine, growing new clean tech businesses as
we learn to adapt to a climate-changed future.

Setting a renewable portfolio standard – as described above – is an important step to stabilize
Florida’s energy market for renewables and allowing it to grow. However, we must also remove the
artificial barriers that have been erected by politicians all too willing to comply with the requests of
their big utility contributors, so that energy efficiency and solar can compete on a level playing field.

We are the Sunshine State, yet there are few places in America where it is harder to invest in solar
technology than in Florida. This must change. It is time to eliminate the utilities’ stranglehold and
open up the renewable energy market. By letting smaller companies compete, we’ll make it easier
and cheaper for Floridians to put solar on their homes and businesses.

As Governor, Charlie will push to open up the solar market by removing unnecessary, burdensome
regulations and taxes by providing an ad valorem tax or property tax exemption for businesses that
install renewable energy devices. We will also streamline permitting and interconnection standards
for solar energy systems. For more information about these initiatives, please refer to Solar Energy

    Political advertisement paid for and approved by Charlie Crist, Democrat, for Governor       Page 4

Powering Florida’s Future: Charlie Crist’s Plan for a Thriving Solar Energy Industry in Florida, which
is available at www.CharlieCrist.com.

With each passing year of inaction, Florida is missing out on the opportunity to create jobs and lead
the country in renewable energy production. Once elected in November, Gov. Crist will act quickly.
He’ll push the legislature to grow our clean energy economy by adopting policies that promote
renewable energy, encourage investment in clean technologies, and create high-paying, clean
energy jobs.

6. Expanding consumer choice by investing in public transportation

Florida needs a Governor with the vision and leadership to bring about new transportation options
that embrace clean energy technology, expand ridership, and reduce congestion on our roads.

Like many Floridians, Charlie was disappointed
when Rick Scott refused $2.4 billion of our own             “Why would Gov. Rick Scott just
federal taxpayer dollars to develop and operate high-       say no to $2 billion in federal
speed rail service between Orlando and Tampa. The           funding for a bullet train already
project would have created nearly 60,000 jobs and           approved by the GOP-led
would have led to a new age in Florida’s                    Legislature — a project that would
transportation infrastructure.                              create thousands of jobs for
                                                            Florida?…This is a case of the
Our local governments are making strides in their           governor putting his ideology
adoption of clean energy transit. In Leon County, for       before common sense…”
example, Tallahassee’s StarMetro transit system
has introduced all-electric buses17, and Leon County        [Miami Herald 2/17/2011]
Schools are using buses powered by natural gas.18

These opportunities often use federal funds, which are tax dollars that we have already sent to
Washington. Tallahassee’s all-electric buses, for example, were 100% funded by federal grants.19
As Governor, Charlie will take full advantage of federal grant opportunities to help our state and
local governments offer clean, efficient, and convenient public transit options. By doing so, we can
save money and reduce traffic while also reducing pollution and carbon emissions.

7. Protecting Florida’s sensitive lands and costal economies from drilling

In 2010, Charlie Crist called legislators into a special session and urged them to adopt a
constitutional amendment to ban drilling near Florida’s shores.20 After the BP oil spill, it was clear
that offshore drilling was too great a risk to Florida’s families, our fisheries, our businesses, and our
environment. Another spill could spoil beaches and other coastal ecosystems, destroying
significant populations of plant and animal wildlife. This kind of event could be devastating to
Florida’s economy by wreaking havoc on our tourism industry and the livelihoods of millions of
Floridians living near our coasts.

Moreover, our state would realize little economic benefit from expanding offshore drilling. Extracting
oil off our coasts would not affect the price of petroleum in global markets, nor would it meaningfully
lessen our dependence on foreign sources of oil.

 Political advertisement paid for and approved by Charlie Crist, Democrat, for Governor         Page 5

Charlie recognizes the need for us to diversify our energy sources. However, protecting our families
and property should be a top priority. Scientific research has given us reasons to be wary about the
negative effects of fracking on our environment. We need to know more about its long-term impacts
before we allow it in Florida.

8. Appointing good people who make good decisions

Rick Scott’s appointees fired hard-working state employees, devastated the capacity of our state
agencies, and capitulated to lobbyists. Charlie Crist knows that he and his appointees must serve
the people of Florida, not wealthy special interests.
As such, he selected highly qualified, dedicated          “In his first year, Scott forced the
appointees who put Floridians first. One of his           state's five regional water
appointees to the South Florida Water Management          management districts to reduce
District now serves as the U.S. Department of             their budgets by $700 million and
Interior's Director of Everglades Restoration             filled their appointed boards with
Initiatives.21 In the years to come, Charlie will         developers, land use lawyers and
empower good people to make good decisions for            others more interested in granting
our state government: water managers and                  permits than preservation.”
environmental professionals who care for our natural
resources, and Public Service Commissioners who           [Tampa Bay Times 9/5/2014]
say no to special interests.

Conclusion

The beauty of the Sunshine State is all around us. Charlie Crist knows that our beaches, rivers,
lakes, and forests drive our tourism and recreational economy. He will acquire lands for
preservation, protect our springs and watersheds, and reinvest in our aging flood control,
transportation and water supply infrastructure. He will encourage smart land use development,
resist irresponsible energy exploration, and create new business opportunities through policies
focused on climate adaptation and clean energy. Natural resources make Florida special, and we
have a responsibility to ensure that these treasures are preserved for ourselves and for future
generations.

 Political advertisement paid for and approved by Charlie Crist, Democrat, for Governor    Page 6

1
  http://tbo.com/list/news-columns/gov-rick-scott-is-no-teddy-roosevelt-20140808/
2
  http://tbo.com/list/news-columns/gov-rick-scott-is-no-teddy-roosevelt-20140808/
3
  http://www.evergladescoalition.org/PDF/EVCO%20Curriculum%20Reso%20DRAFT.pdf
4
  http://www.850businessmagazine.com/October-November-2014/Bay-Countys-International-Airport-And-Seaport-Stand-Tall-For-
New-Business/>
5
  http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/northwest-florida-beaches-international-airport-designed-as-countrys-first-leedr-
certified-airport-to-start-passenger-and-freight-service-may-2010-78152507.html
6

http://www.wjhg.com/home/headlines/Northwest_Florida_Beaches_International_Airport_is_drawing_nearly_3_tim
es_the_passengers_than_the_old_one_111830609.html
7
  http://www.news-press.com/story/news/local/2014/10/01/activists-turn-protest-big-sugar/16567023/
8
  http://climate.nasa.gov/scientific-consensus/
9
  http://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2013/may/16/climate-change-
scienceofclimatechange
10
   http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/08/us/florida-finds-itself-in-the-eye-of-the-storm-on-climate-change.html?_r=0
11
  https://www.broward.org/NaturalResources/ClimateChange/Documents/phase2report08.pdf
12
   https://www.energycodes.gov/adoption/states/florida
13
   http://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/once-a-major-issue-in-florida-climate-change-concerns-few-in-
tallahassee/1169860
14
   http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/on-the-issues-rick-scott-and-charlie-crist-offer-major-
differences/2202974
15

http://www.broward.org/NATURALRESOURCES/CLIMATECHANGE/Pages/SoutheastFloridaRegionalClimateCompact.as
px
16
   http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/states/news_detail.cfm/news_id=11099
17
   http://www.talgov.com/Main/News/StarMetro-Its-Electric-3748.aspx
18
   http://www.wctv.tv/home/headlines/Leon-Co-Schools-See-Savings-in-1st-Year-of-Using-Compressed-Natural-Gas-
in-Buses-219643411.html
19
   http://www.talgov.com/Main/News/StarMetro-Its-Electric-3748.aspx
20
   http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20110429/OPINION05/104290318/
21
   http://www.evergladesrestoration.gov/contact.html

     Political advertisement paid for and approved by Charlie Crist, Democrat, for Governor                       Page 7