Florida Legislators Are Not Making the Environment a Priority, According to Audubon of Florida

TALLAHASSEE, FL, Apr 21 (MARKET WIRE) --
According to the Audubon of Florida, state legislators are not acting in
the spirit of Earth Day or in the interests of Florida residents as two
environmental issues make their way through the legislature. An amendment
filed late last night will make way for oil and natural gas drilling off
of Florida's beaches, while another bill to adopt clean car rules is
being stalled.

Oil and Natural Gas Drilling

The Florida Legislature is racing to act on a bill that would allow oil
drilling within three miles of Florida's pristine coastlines. Audubon of
Florida is vigorously opposing the amendment, filed late last night by
House Speaker-designee Dean Cannon (R-Winter Park), to add language to HB
1219 that would pave the way for oil and natural gas drilling within sight
of Florida's beaches.

"With less than two weeks to act in the Legislature, state lawmakers are
refusing to move on positive solutions, such as clean car rules and
renewable energy, and instead are grasping at addictive proposals to open
oil drilling near Florida's beaches," said Audubon Policy Director Eric
Draper. "This is a dirty proposal that is bad for consumers and bad for
our beaches and marine environment. Proponents of the oil drilling plan
are selling Florida's future in a desperate attempt to cling to oil and
gas, the principle drivers of global warming."

Audubon vigorously opposes this destructive proposal because it would
impact Florida coastal ecosystems and pristine beaches, put marine and
coastal wildlife at risk, and delay the serious measures needed to reduce
global warming and its impacts on the state and resident's quality of
life.

Vehicle Emissions Standard

Meanwhile, state lawmakers are delaying a rule that would require
carmakers to sell cars that emit fewer greenhouse gases, according to
Audubon of Florida. Florida residents shopping for cars that get better
gas mileage and pollute less have fewer choices in the sunshine state.

In the absence of legislation to adopt vehicle emissions standard in
Florida, residents don't have their choice of clean cars to purchase in
the state. Vehicles with improved emissions standards and better fuel
efficiency, such as the 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid, and the 2009 Ford
Fusion or 2009 Honda Accord Sedan with PZEV emissions standards are
currently not for sale.

Clean cars are only sold in states, such as California, New York, and 10
others that have adopted clean car rules. In Florida -- a state where
transportation accounts for more than one-third of greenhouse gas
emissions -- automakers are fighting to prevent the passage of clean car
laws citing the high cost to manufacture them. Legislators also seem
intent to listen only to purveyors of petroleum rather than protect
Florida's tourism economy and give Floridians a choice for a cleaner,
greener future.

"Our legislators must drop destructive proposals such as destroying
Florida's environment for more oil and adopt solutions such as clean car
rules before the end of the 2009 session," says Eric Draper, policy
director for Audubon of Florida. "We can't let the legislature put the
brakes on our future and open our coastal waters to oil drilling. Clean
car rules create real solutions that Floridians want."

A recent poll commissioned by Audubon of Florida and its partners found
that 71 percent of Florida voters agree the state should require auto
manufacturers to sell cars and trucks that emit fewer greenhouse gases.
Governor Charlie Crist proposed these rules two years ago and they were
approved by the Florida Environmental Regulation Commission.

Audubon is also helping Floridians call on their state lawmakers to act by
visiting www.climateflorida.org, calling and writing to state legislators
to pass clean car rules and ignore dirty drilling proposals.

Media Contact:
Nikisha Williams
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