TALLAHASSEE, Florida, November 5, 2007 (ENS) - The first report from Florida's new Action Team on Energy and Climate Change landed on Governor Charlie Crist's desk Friday loaded with recommendations for energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction strategies, including a cap-and-trade system for carbon dioxide emissions.

With 1,350 miles of coastline and most residents living in coastal communities, Florida may be more vulnerable to the worst effects of climate change than any other state.

Changes in climate can affect water temperatures and salt levels, disrupting nature's balance in sensitive areas such as the Everglades and coral reefs. Rising sea levels can jeopardize Florida's water supply as well as nearshore habitats, such as seagrass flats.

"The Action Team has an important challenge posed to them - creating a strategy to protect our state from the effects of climate change," said Governor Crist, who created the team in July by executive order.

The 21 appointees on the panel represent environmental groups such as Environmental Defense, businesses such as Disney Parks and Resorts, state legislators of both parties, the heads of the Florida Energy Commission and Florida Public Service Commission, and the president of Florida Power and Light.

The team recommended increasing energy efficiency and conservation, examining the potential for capture, sequestration and storage of carbon, expanding the production of renewable energy, and examining of the role of nuclear energy in Florida.

The team deferred until next year a recommendation on the precise mechanism for regulating carbon emissions in the state.

Initial recommendations would have the state pursue the design of a market-based policy of cap and trade for tradable emissions credits, establish linkages with ongoing emissions trading markets, and emissions reporting by the state's electric utilities to the Climate Registry.

The team recommended that the Department of Environmental Protection propose additional industry sectors for inclusion in mandatory emissions reporting.

"With today's Phase One report, the Action Team has identified 35 initial findings and 30 initial recommendations to better track and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including energy efficiency and conservation targets," said Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael Sole, who was appointed by the governor to chair the panel.

For the transportation sector, recommendations include incorporating emission-reduction strategies into state, regional and local growth and planning, incentives for reductions in vehicle miles traveled, promotion of efficient public transit systems, and low carbon vehicles.

Continuation of existing incentives for research and development of new fuels and life cycle analyses for fuels were also recommended.

The team deferred until next year a full examination of a low carbon fuel standard like California's and the potential for establishing a regional fuel standard with other southern states.

"The Phase One interim report is a critical first step in compiling a comprehensive energy policy for Florida," said St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker who is serving as Action Team vice chairman.

"As we move into the second phase of the plan," he said, "the findings and recommendations released today will allow the Action Team to develop strategies that address energy security, economic development, and greenhouse gas limits while being mindful of the ultimate cost impact on the consumers of Florida."

The team recommended that the state foster greater public-private cooperation with universities and other research centers to develop a low carbon and alternative energy technology market in Florida.

Phase Two of the plan will focus on mitigating impacts to society, public health, the economy and the environment created by greenhouse gas emissions from new growth with carbon capture and storage technologies.

Finally, the team will consider long-term public policy for reducing greenhouse gases in areas of economic development, university research and technology development, energy, environmental protection, natural resource and growth management and transportation.

The team's final report is due by October 1, 2008.

Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2007. All rights reserved.