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TALLAHASSEE – Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary
Michael W. Sole today moderated a panel discussion during the first day of the
2008 Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate Change, June 25-26,
2008, at the Intercontinental Miami. The Secretary’s panel, “A Year’s Progress
and Promise for the Future,” focused on achievements in Florida over the past
year as well as possibilities for the future.
“In my view, the appropriate role of public policy is to establish the
playing field and the rules of the game and then to allow markets the freedom to
work effectively toward the ends we’re trying to achieve,” said DEP Secretary
Sole.
Participants in the Secretary’s panel included Scott Nyquist, Director,
McKinsey & Company; Tom Peterson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Center
for Climate Strategies; and Suzanne Watson, Policy Director, American Council
for an Energy-Efficient Economy. The discussion focused on topics such as
actions taken by state and international governments and private industry
sectors in Florida as well as how the state can encourage more voluntary
actions.
The Secretary’s panel discussion was part of the 2008 Serve to Preserve
Florida Summit on Global Climate, June 25-26, 2008, at the Intercontinental
Miami. Building on the foundation for Florida’s energy future that began at last
year’s summit, the 2008 summit will focus on stimulating economic development in
clean technologies as well as “greening” Florida’s business community.
The 2008 summit brings together industry leaders, international policy
makers, academics, scientists, environmentalists and the business community to
explore opportunities for expanding Florida’s renewable and alternative energy
marketplace and greening our business community. By encouraging companies to
invest in our state’s energy future, Florida will transform its energy
marketplace to enhance fuel diversity, lessen dependence on foreign sources of
oil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
This year’s summit furthers the policy framework established during the 2007
summit. On July 13, 2007, Governor Charlie Crist signed a series of executive
orders to reduce Florida’s greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy efficiency,
and remove market barriers for renewable energy technologies such as solar and
wind energy. Since the executive orders were signed, Florida has stepped onto
the world stage as a major marketplace for advanced energy technologies.
For more information on the 2008 Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global
Climate Change, visit
www.myfloridaclimate.com or
www.myflorida.com. For more information on DEP, visit
www.dep.state.fl.us/climatechange. | 
