NEW YORK -- Pushing politics aside, Republican Gov. Charlie Crist and former Democratic President Bill Clinton took the stage together to announce that Florida Power & Light will build a solar power plant in Florida as part of a $2.4 billion clean energy program.

"This is a huge deal for America and I think potentially a huge deal for people all around the world who want to do this," said Clinton, who introduced Crist and company Chief Executive Lew Hay at the beginning of the Clinton Global Initiative conference.

The conference is focused on finding ways to solve some of the world's most pressing problems including poverty and climate change.

Clinton said the FPL plant will produce 500 megawatts of power and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2 million tons over five years. He praised the Juno Beach, Fla.-based company for developing the plant, saying the cost of solar is higher than other energy sources.

"As we all know, Florida is one of the sunniest places in America, but this is the sort of thing, if they can prove it works, it can be done in sunny places all over the world," Clinton said. "If you mix it in to your overall power mix, the extra cost is not particularly great."

The utility is owned by FPL Group Inc. It is also planning to spend $500 million over the next six years to provide 4.3 million customers with smart meters that will help reduce energy use, Clinton said.

After the announcement, Hay said that the FPL's overall commitment is to produce 500 megawatts of solar energy, and at least 300 in Florida. The rest may be in Florida or elsewhere, such as California's Mojave Desert, where the company already has a solar field. That translates to power for about 170,000 homes and business, at least during the day.

"It will blend into rates to the point where it's not going to be very noticeable," Hay said, adding that customers have to understand "any fossil fuels have a hidden cost to them that society is paying every single day."

Clinton also praised Crist for signing an order that sets a goal of reducing the state's carbon emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and to 80 percent of 1990 levels by 2050.

Crist told Clinton that Florida, with 1,350 miles of coastline, is probably the most vulnerable state to climate change.

"Because of what you're doing here and because of what Florida Power & Light is doing, it's making a difference. It's making the world better and it's helping my state, and I'm very grateful. God bless you," said Crist.

As Clinton introduced Crist, he noted their political differences.

"This man is a Republican and I'm probably about to hurt his reputation," Clinton said. He then praised Crist for taking action to restore felon voting rights once sentences have been completed.

As Clinton spoke, the audience applause for the governor drowned out his words.