Posted on 06/28/2005 6:36:13 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
SACRAMENTO (AP) - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger named an industry lobbyist Tuesday as his pick to be the state's top air pollution regulator, angering environmentalists and provoking a confirmation fight with Senate Democrats.
Cindy Tuck, who serves as top attorney for the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance - an advocacy group representing mostly energy companies and unions - is the governor's choice to become chair of the California Air Resources Board.
The leader of the state Senate, which can reject the appointment, quickly announced his opposition.
"As a lobbyist for major oil companies and the power plant industry, who has opposed every major air quality law passed by the Legislature in recent years, Ms. Tuck is not the right person to help the board carry out its mission of protection the air our families breathe," Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland, said in a statement.
Schwarzenegger, who generally has received high marks from environmentalists, said Tuck will be able to balance the need to protect the state's air quality with economic interests.
"Cindy has dedicated her career to developing solutions to challenging environmental problems in order to protect and improve California's environment," the governor said in a statement. "Her expertise is vital to ensuring California continues to lead the nation in setting air quality standards while at the same time balancing the need to keep our economy strong and thriving. I am confident she will bring diverse interests together to meet our ambitious air quality goals."
Recognized as one of the nation's most aggressive air regulators, the California Air Resources Board has adopted the country's toughest pollution standards on automobiles - often earning the ire of industry representatives who have continually challenged and weakened the regulations through court actions.
Environmentalists said Tuck's group is made up of some of the state's biggest polluters masquerading behind an environmentally friendly name.
"I know that the environmental groups have told (Schwarzenegger) not to make this appointment," said Bill Magavern, a Sierra Club lobbyist. "It's the kind of thing that (President) Bush does, putting an industry lobbyist in charge of an air quality agency."
Schwarzenegger's environmental agenda has been generally well received by most activist groups. He has championed alternative fuels, new coastal protection measures and cutting-edge environmental technologies. His cabinet secretary, Terry Tamminen, is a former leader of a Santa Monica-based environmental group, Heal the Bay.
But Magavern said Tuck's appointment marks a new turn.
"It is alarming that Schwarzenegger would then turn around and put an industry lobbyist in charge of implementing the policies that he's proposed to cut air pollution by 50 percent and cut global warming gases when CEEB's opposed those laws," Magavern said.
Tuck, 45, said in a statement that she looked forward to the new position and shared the governor's commitment to protecting air quality.
Supporters pointed out that she has more than 20 years experience in air and energy issues in California, is both an engineer and an attorney.
"I think the environmental community would be very surprised and pleased if the gave her half a chance," said Vic Weisser, spokesman for the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance.
He argued that neither the council nor Tuck have been opponents of tough air standards and instead have been a key moderator between energy corporations and environmentalists.
If a confirmation battle does shape up over Tuck, the governor may reconsider his appointment. Earlier this month, Senate leaders blocked the appointment of a state forestry board nominee who was targeted by environmentalists for being too cozy with the timber industry.
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On the Net:
The California Air Resources Board: http://www.arb.ca.gov/homepage.htm
The California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance: http://www.cceeb.org/
Ain't that precious!
"It is alarming that Schwarzenegger would then turn around and put an industry lobbyist in charge of implementing the policies that he's proposed to cut air pollution by 50 percent and cut global warming gases when CEEB's opposed those laws," Magavern said.
The silly guy thinks this has something to do with cutting pollution! LOL.
There has always been pollution, it just depended on what end of the hot airbag lobbyists and politicos it comes out of as to how much ya could endure of it.
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