Florida's Governor Mansion Gets 'Green' Makeover

Following up on his first-ever state summit on global climate change, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist this week announced that the Florida's Governor's Mansion will start using solar and hydrogen fuel-cell technology to help lower its dependence on fossil fuels.

Recently making their debut at the Governor's Mansion were a solar pool-heating system expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20 percent, or about 22,000 pounds per year, and a five-kilowatt hydrogen fuel-cell that removes hydrogen from natural gas to generate electricity for the governor's residence.

"As a public servant, I have a responsibility to lead by example and to do what is right for our environment and our economy," Crist said. "As the Sunshine State, Florida should be a leader in expanding solar technology to every home and business."

Under the 2006 Florida Energy Act, the state offers rebates to homes and businesses that buy and install solar energy systems. Since the program launched, enough solar technology has been put in place state-wide to equal 26 million kilowatt hours of energy, or enough power for some 1,800 households a year. The state's 2007 budget increases funding for the solar rebate program from $2.5 million to $3.5 million a year.

Crist, who was elected last fall to succeed former Gov. Jeb Bush, last week hosted the state's first "Serve to Preserve: Florida Summit on Global Climate Change." The event was aimed at bringing together leaders from every level -- local, state, regional, national and international -- to help draft strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and deal with climate change.

Following the summit, Crist signed executive orders spelling out Florida's commitment to reduce greenhouse gases and pursue renewable energy sources, as well as to establish an Action Team on Energy and Climate Change. He also announced partnership agreements with the U.K. and Germany in which the state of Florida will work with those countries to address the challenges of global warming and seek solutions that extend beyond 2012, when the current Kyoto Protocol treaty on climate change expires.