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California Assembly Committee Readies Hearing on Schwarzenegger's "Global Warming Gate" as Ex Air Board Officials Prepare to Tell All on Friday
"This Administration has lost its way on air quality and I no longer want to be a part of it." Letter of resignation of Catherine Witherspoon, Executive Director of the California Air Resources Board
By Frank D. Russo
The adhesive is coming off of Governor Schwarzenegger's environmental credentials as documents are beginning to leak out and statements have been made to the press by the distinguished scientist, Robert Sawyer who he had appointed to head the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Another shoe dropped yesterday as Catherine Witherspoon, the Executive Director of CARB resigned with a letter criticizing the Governor.
This board is not only in charge of clean air in California, but it was the agency specifically written into AB 32, the landmark global warming law, for enforcement of its provisions. The story about how the Governor tried to dumb down the law while it was being negotiated, then sought to water down its implementation by circumventing CARB, and then insisted that his own appointees on CARB go slow in implementing the law, is about to be told on Friday.
The Assembly Natural Resources Committee, chaired by Loni Hancock (D-Berkeley), will hold a special hearing Friday to review the implementation of AB 32 and other Air Board activities. Sawyer, Witherspoon, and members of the Governor’s office will testify in what should be a riveting hearing--and one that may permanently tarnish Schwarzenegger's carefully cultivated green image with details that tell another story.
Speaker of the Assembly Fabian Nunez, the author of AB 32, has thrown down the gauntlet, saying: “This first-in-the nation global warming legislation requires a great deal of effort and follow-through by the Air Resources Board, but undue pressure by the Governor’s office has driven out two key officials. My hope is that we get focused on doing this right. We have a huge responsibility on our shoulders to lead the way for the rest of the nation on this important issue."
On May 11, 2007, Speaker Nunez wrote a letter to the Governor, saying in part “Over the last several months, I have become increasingly concerned about two issues: market based mechanisms and early action items. … AB 32 calls for each market-based approach to be thoroughly evaluated before it could be considered as part of California’s program. … In the near term, establishing a cap and trade system is premature and unnecessary.”
The Assembly Natural Resources Committee hearing on AB 32 will be held on Friday, at 9:30 a.m. in room 4202 of the State Capitol.
Between then and now, you'll be reading a lot of articles about this. The nitty-gritty of the implementation of AB 32 is as important as its passage into law.
Here is the letter of resignation of Witherspoon.
July 1, 2007
Honorable Board Members:
I have decided to separate from state service. This Administration has lost its way on air quality and I no longer want to be a part of it. I appreciate the confidence you expressed in me in your closed session on June 14th. It meant more to me than I can say. In return, I wish you great fortitude, good humor and wisdom. You're going to need all of that and more to navigate the challenging obstacle course ahead.
I put myself on immediate personal leave and am making the necessary arrangements to end my employment at ARB. My Chief Deputy, Tom Cackette, is legally authorized to act as E.O. in my absence (with signature authority thereafter assigned to Mike Scheible, Lynn Terry and Tom Jennings, in that order). I suggest you rely upon him until a permanent successor is named.
Be good to the staff. Their morale has been badly shaken and they were already working past the limits of reasonable human endurance. Only they have the experience and skill to realize your aspirations. They'll perform miracles if you give them the necessary support to flourish.
It was an enormous privilege to serve you and the people of California -- absolutely the opportunity of a lifetime. I don't regret a single minute and I will cherish the memories of ARB's achievements and our personal friendships for the rest of my life.
Sincerely,
Catherine Witherspoon
Stay tuned.
Comments
Arnold ain't stupid. He's a politician. Of course he's going to play to the idiots who believe in man-made global warming, while also playing to the rest of us who don't. Why not?
Posted by: Ford at July 3, 2007 04:23 PM
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