The temptation among lawmakers next month to take a cleaver to Gov.
Charlie Crist's proposal to spend $200 million on green technologies and
practices could be great.
Not only does the $200 million represent twice
what the state spent last year on related initiatives, it comes amid a state
budget crunch that's making lawmakers scramble to find dollars for their own pet
projects.
Handing the governor $10 million to develop wind-energy
turbines or $7.5 million to encourage local governments to reduce carbon
emissions and conserve energy, which the governor's requesting they do, just
might not come particularly easily to certain lawmakers more concerned about
bankrolling local roads or community centers for their constituents.
But
not only should they fund Mr. Crist's requests, they should pad them.
The
money represents Mr. Crist's attempt to begin funding his program to fight
climate change, one that seeks to drop carbon emissions that contribute to
global warming by more than 80 percent by 2050, and one that's certainly as
important as any on the state's agenda.
It won't put more cops on the
street, more teachers in our schools, more nurses in hospitals -- important
additions for improving today's quality of life. But dropping carbon-emissions
levels today and over the next decades would help ensure Florida's future. No
state stands to suffer more from increasingly severe hurricanes, coastal
flooding and extended droughts -- all consequences of global warming -- as
Florida. Curbing carbon emissions could keep them in check, while also producing
another significant benefit -- diversifying Florida's economy.
Before
submitting his budget, Mr. Crist already was moving Florida in that direction.
State agencies at his urging turned down applications for new coal-burning power
plants while the state's Energy Commission offered recommendations advocating
renewable and alternative energy.
Now his budget looks to move the
process forward by seeking more than $100 million to recruit businesses that can
develop green technologies, and more than $40 million to spur the production of
alternative fuels like ethanol.
All good. But more is needed. More money
for simple measures, like better conservation practices. And more money for more
complicated ones, like generating almost unfathomable amounts of energy from the
ocean. Mr. Crist is requesting $10 million for that research. But look what more
money could potentially reap: Researchers say underwater turbines could one day
generate enough energy from the Gulf Stream to power a third of Florida's
electricity needs.
It's not whether the Legislature can afford to go
green. Even in this budget year, it can't afford not to.
