The Florida Forever bill will allow the state to continue spending $300 million a year to conserve land, while supporters of the energy bill said it's an important step in addressing climate change and energy independence.

Sen. Burt Saunders, a Naples Republican who spearheaded both issues in the Senate, said the Florida Forever bill shows lawmakers are "very, very serious about protecting the natural resources" of the state for the future.

"We all know that if we don't protect these resources from encroaching development, that we will literally kill the economic engine of this state, which is tourism, . . . (and) issues associated with our wonderful environment," Saunders said.

The energy bill, meanwhile, could lead to reducing power-plant emissions that scientists say cause global warming. Also, the bill includes steps to increase energy efficiency and would make it easier to build nuclear power plants.

Gov. Charlie Crist has made climate change one of his top priorities. The bill passed Wednesday is not as far-reaching as Crist's proposals, but the governor immediately issued a statement praising lawmakers.

"Today's vote signifies a commitment to protecting Florida's natural beauty and stimulating our economy, as well as reducing our dependence on foreign sources of oil," he said.

Senators approved the energy bill in a 39-1 vote, a day after the House passed it. The only significant debate centered on whether Florida should adopt stringent California vehicle-emission standards to help reduce pollution from cars and trucks.

Crist said last year Florida would adopt the standards, pending federal approval. But lawmakers made that harder in the energy bill, requiring legislative ratification before state environmental officials could move forward with the standards.

Sen. Bill Posey, R-Rockledge, said the California standards would increase the costs of cars and trucks.

"I hope there's not anybody in here who wants to make Florida like California," Posey said.

But Eric Draper, a lobbyist for Audubon of Florida, said the decision to require legislative ratification of the standards was "disappointing."

"In order to solve the global warming (issue) and our dependence on foreign oil, cars have to become far more fuel-efficient, and that is not going to be cheap," Draper said.

Lawmakers also tried to ease concerns that homeowners and businesses could face higher electric rates because of the bill. Those concerns stemmed, in part, from efforts to increase the use of renewable sources of energy, such as solar and wind power.

"They have crafted this in a way that prevents any immediate impacts on a customer," said Joanna Bonfanti, a Florida Chamber of Commerce lobbyist who worked on the issue.

With dozens of lobbyists watching closely, the energy and Florida Forever bills have been high-profile issues during this spring's legislative session.

The House voted 116-0 on Wednesday to approve the Florida Forever bill, which passed the Senate last week.

The bill sets the stage for the state to continue issuing $300 million a year in bonds for the program, which could have expired in 2010. It also includes changes that, in part, are designed to increase public access to state-owned lands.

Environmental groups also praised lawmakers Wednesday for including $300 million for the program in the proposed budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1. That comes as the state faces a multibillion-dollar shortfall because of shrinking tax revenues.