Consumer Group To Testify at Florida's final hearing WASHINGTON, Oct 27
WASHINGTON, Oct 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Consumer Federation of
America (CFA) released an analysis of the benefits to Florida consumers of
adopting the California Clean Car Standard that will be filed on behalf of the
Florida Consumer Action Network (FCAN) with the Environmental Regulation
Commission (ERC). The report finds that Floridians will save more money on a
monthly basis under the proposed standard than they can if the standard is not
enacted.
On Wednesday, October 29, CFA Director of Research Mark Cooper will
testify and submit the report for the record at Florida's Environmental
Regulation Commission final hearing on the Clean Car Standard. If the
Commission fails to vote at this hearing, the proposal to enact the standard
may expire. Consumer groups will press the Commission to approve the
standard.
"As financial markets roil and consumers scramble to protect their
savings, Florida can help by passing the Clean Car Standard," said Cooper.
"Our analysis shows that the standard will provide consumers with short term
and long term financial protection."
"Under the Clean Car Standard, consumers have money to spend instate
rather than shipping our dollars overseas," commented Bill Newton, Executive
Director of Florida Consumer Action Network (FCAN). "This helps to grow jobs
and our economy, which in turn benefits the consumer."
CFA's extensive analysis of the Clean Cars program concludes that the
standard currently under consideration in Florida is in the consumer interest.
The report finds that consumers who purchase vehicles that are compliant with
the standard spend less on gasoline on a monthly basis than the increase in
their monthly auto loan payment. This direct, short-term consumer pocketbook
test alone justifies ERC ratification of the standard.
The report also finds that the Clean Car standard serves the long-term
consumer interest because reduced gasoline consumption reduces the
vulnerability of the economy to price shocks, enhances national security and
improves public health and the environment. Many of the societal costs of
burning fossil fuels result in societal expenditures, which are paid for by
taxes. Over the long-term, consumers bear the costs of a wide range of
expenditures from the military costs to protect the flow of oil to the public
health costs that result from vehicle emissions.
"US scientists agree that if we do not reduce global warming emissions we
can expect more violent weather, hotter temperatures and rising sea levels,"
Cooper added, "clearly, Florida is more vulnerable than most."
"Florida needs to be a leader in responding to the challenge of climate
change," Newton concluded. "The Governor supports the rule and the DEP has
found it is in the public interest; the Environmental Regulation Commission
needs to approve it so the legislature can take it up and the state can get
started on this important task."
CFA is a national non-profit group that seeks to advance the consumer
interest through research, education, and advocacy. Founded in 1968, the
federation has more than 300 organizational members.
FCAN is Florida's largest consumer group with members from Key West to
Tallahassee. FCAN works on issues including energy, insurance, and
environment.
CFA report can be found at
http://cyberlaw.stanford.edu/system/files/FloridaCleanCarsfiling.pdf
SOURCE Consumer Federation of America
