New Appointments Hold Promise for More Progressive, Equitable Direction for the California Air Resources Board
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 9, 2020
New Appointments Hold Promise for More Progressive, Equitable Direction for the California Air Resources Board
Governor Newsom appoints 3 women of color, long-time environmental justice advocate to CARB Board
SACRAMENTO, CA—Today, Governor Newsom announced his appointment of Liane Randolph to the position of CARB Board Chair, along with Gideon Kracov, Dr. Tania Pacheco-Werner, Davina Hurt as Board members. The decision comes after heightened calls for CARB to address structural racism within the agency and renewed criticism by environmental justice advocates of the Board’s focus on pollution trading schemes that perpetuate environmental injustices faced by frontline communities bearing disproportionate impacts from the pollution and climate crises.
Gladys Limón, Executive Director of the California Environmental Justice Alliance issued the following statement:
“Governor Newsom’s appointments of three women of color with formidable backgrounds and an experienced environmental justice legal advocate suggest a commitment to elevate equity and environmental justice at CARB, and hold promise for its future direction. Commissioner Randolph is a thoughtful leader who brings vast knowledge and experience to the challenge of meeting California’s climate and energy goals. As an alliance of EJ organizations working to improve the environmental health of communities with the worst air quality in the state, we hope Randolph prioritizes equity in her leadership and look forward to working with her.”
Shana Lazerow, Legal Director of Communities for a Better Environment issued the following statement:
“The CARB Chair appointment carries with it a tremendous responsibility to California’s environmental justice communities. Our communities are feeling the impacts of climate change compounding the already-unacceptably polluted air we breathe. We have appreciated Commissioner Liane Randolph’s dedication at the California Public Utilities Commission and look forward to working with her to bring climate solutions and innovative approaches to emissions reductions that empower California’s most vulnerable populations. Particularly in this time of pandemic, California’s low-income communities of color need CARB to lead as an agent of positive change.”
Veronica Garibay, Co-Director of Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability issued the following statement:
“We applaud Dr. Tania Pacheco-Werner’s appointment to represent a region facing disproportionate air quality and climate challenges. Dr. Pacheco-Werner’s lived, academic and professional experience and immeasurable commitment to justice and equity uniquely qualify her to serve on one of California’s most powerful regulatory agencies. We are hopeful that today’s appointments will usher in an unprecedented opportunity to incorporate community-identified racial, environmental, and climate justice solutions into the state’s program’s, policies, framework, and future.”
Martha Arguello, Executive Director of Physicians for Social Responsibility, Los Angeles issued the following statement:
“We applaud the appointment of Gideon Kracov to the CARB. He has been a strong environmental health champion and has a broad understanding of environmental justice issues, from air quality, pesticides, and climate justice. We look forward to working with him to deliver the promise of clean air at CARB. It is time to confront environmental injustice with bold action and today’s announcement gives us hope that we can finally make progress on critical community-based solutions.”
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