Free Republic

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...

Democrats in the state Senate rejected his choice to head the California Air Resources Board, so Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger found a new job Wednesday for controversial appointee Cindy Tuck that doesn't require Senate confirmation. Tuck, rejected on a party-line vote earlier this month by Senate Democrats who said she was more concerned with protecting business interests than the environment, was appointed assistant secretary for policy at the California Environmental Protection Agency. The agency, where Tuck will advise the secretary on a variety of policy issues, can influence the air board and the position denied to her by Senate Democrats. "She...

SACRAMENTO (AP) - A Senate committee on Wednesday recommended removing Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's appointee to head the state Air Resources Board, an agency that has led the nation in cutting air pollution and reducing automobile emissions. A vote by the full Senate was scheduled for Thursday. The committee, on a party-line vote, cited the polarizing influence of Cindy Tuck as chairwoman of the California Air Resources Board. She has held the job for just six weeks after two decades representing the oil and energy industries. The air board has enacted numerous regulations that have been mimicked by other states and...

SACRAMENTO - Bay Area transit agencies are fighting a proposed state regulation that would force them to use natural gas buses -- a move that could cost $300 million and trigger reductions in service while reaping big bucks for an industry that has contributed heavily to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The requirement, to be considered by air regulators next month, has amplified concern not only about special interest influence but also about the governor's appointment of Cindy Tuck to lead the California Air Resources Board. Tuck is a former energy industry lobbyist who faces a contentious Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday....

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...