CA: Gov.'s Pick for Pollution Panel Chairman Wins Wide Support (UC Berkeley energy professor)

Three months after his initial choice of an industry lobbyist was condemned by environmentalists and rejected by Democratic legislators, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday appointed a respected air-quality scientist to chair the California Air Resources Board.

The Republican governor's choice of Democrat Robert F. Sawyer — a UC Berkeley emeritus energy professor who has been active on air-quality issues for decades — is not expected to generate any significant opposition from environmental groups or the Legislature.

The appointment of Sawyer, 70, must be confirmed by the state Senate. The job pays $117,818 a year.

"I am honored Gov. Schwarzenegger has asked me to serve as chair of the world's leading air-quality regulatory organization and look forward to the opportunity to work with him in meeting the continuing challenges of reducing air pollution in California," Sawyer said in a written statement.

In addition to his teaching work at Berkeley over nearly four decades, Sawyer has served as an advisor to the World Bank on Mexico City air pollution and is a partner in an air-quality consulting firm.

Sawyer was said to be in Hawaii on Thursday and could not be reached for comment.

The California Air Resources Board, a statewide agency that regulates pollution from factories, motor vehicles, household products and a variety of other sources, has an international reputation as a trendsetter, making the panel's chairman one of the state's most important environmental positions.

The board's most significant regulation in recent years is a rule that requires automakers to reduce tailpipe emissions of greenhouse gases from cars and trucks nearly 30% by 2016.

Environmentalists cheered Sawyer's selection Thursday, calling him exceptionally qualified. Sawyer had given technical advice to environmental groups on the greenhouse gas rule.

Air board pick draws wide praise

Oakland resident, ex-UC Berkeley professor to lead powerful state panel that sets quality rules

By Douglas Fischer, STAFF WRITER

http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/localnews/ci_3337295

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger tapped a former University of California, Berkeley professor Thursday to lead the state's powerful Air Resources Board.

The selection of UC Berkeley professor emeritus Robert Sawyer as chairman of the air board drew raves from environmentalists. The board sets state policy for air quality and pollution, with its regulations often serving as models for other states and the federal government.

Sawyer, 70, an Oakland resident, has spent nearly 40 years teaching about air-pollutant emissions and their control at UC Berkeley. He also serves as visiting professor of energy and environment at University College London and as a partner of Sawyer Associates, an air-pollution-reduction consulting firm.

His experience in helping governments improve air quality is what drew Schwarzenegger's eye, the governor said Thursday in a statement.

"His expertise in tackling tough pollution control issues will be fundamental to ensuring the legacy of the Air Resources Board in creating a clean and healthy future for California continues," Schwarzenegger said. Sawyer has served on national and international air-quality advisory panels. He is no stranger to the air board, having served as a member from 1975 to 1976. In the Bay Area, he has spent several years on the regional air district's advisory council.

That's where Sierra Club Transportation Committee Chairman and fellow panelist John Holtzclaw got to know him.

"I can't think of a better director," Holtzclaw said Thursday. "He was certainly one of the best-informed, most analytical members of the advisory council, which is made up of experts.

"Not only does he have excellent technical capacity, but he is dedicated to finding ways to clean up the environment that work."

The chairman is the air board's only full-time member. The position requires Senate confirmation and pays

$117,818 a year.

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