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| California Secretary for Environmental Protection | |
|---|---|
| Name | Secretary for Environmental Protection |
| Department | California Environmental Protection Agency |
| Incumbent | Jared Blumenfeld |
| Incumbentsince | 2019 |
| Style | Mr. Secretary |
| Appointing authority | Governor of California |
| Formation | 1991 |
| Inaugural | Patricia Reilly |
California Secretary for Environmental Protection
The California Secretary for Environmental Protection is the head of the California Environmental Protection Agency and a cabinet-level official in the State of California who coordinates statewide programs administered by California Air Resources Board, Department of Toxic Substances Control, California Department of Water Resources, State Water Resources Control Board, and the Department of Pesticide Regulation. The office interfaces with federal entities such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency, regional bodies like the South Coast Air Quality Management District, and international partners including the United Nations Environment Programme on matters involving Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and statewide statutes such as the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. The secretary advises the Governor of California on environmental strategy, implementation, and enforcement across urban centers like Los Angeles and San Francisco as well as rural regions such as the Central Valley.
The secretary leads the California Environmental Protection Agency and supervises constituent departments including the California Air Resources Board, Department of Toxic Substances Control, Department of Pesticide Regulation, State Water Resources Control Board, and Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. The position engages with federal agencies such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency and state entities like the California Natural Resources Agency, interacting with advocacy organizations including the Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council, Environmental Defense Fund, and labor groups like the California Labor Federation. The office coordinates enforcement of statutes such as the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 and compliance with regulations promulgated under the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act.
The post was created after state-level reorganization culminating in the establishment of the California Environmental Protection Agency in 1991 during the administration of Governor Pete Wilson. Early secretaries worked with federal authorities including the United States Environmental Protection Agency and state boards such as the California Coastal Commission to address contamination events like the Exide lead contamination and industrial incidents related to companies such as Pacific Gas and Electric Company and Chevron Corporation. Past occupants engaged with landmark policy moments such as implementation of the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 under Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and subsequent climate initiatives advanced during the administrations of Governor Jerry Brown and Governor Gavin Newsom.
The secretary formulates statewide policy linking agencies such as the California Air Resources Board and State Water Resources Control Board to implement laws including the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 and the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act. Responsibilities include coordinating responses to emergencies involving entities like Pacific Gas and Electric Company and events such as Camp Fire (2018), advising the Governor of California and the California State Legislature, and representing the state in multilateral settings including meetings with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the International Maritime Organization on matters affecting ports such as the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach.
The secretary oversees the California Environmental Protection Agency headquarters and its subdivisions: California Air Resources Board, Department of Toxic Substances Control, Department of Pesticide Regulation, State Water Resources Control Board, and Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. The office coordinates with statewide entities including the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Natural Resources Agency, California Public Utilities Commission, and regional authorities like the South Coast Air Quality Management District and Bay Area Air Quality Management District. It liaises with federal partners such as the United States Geological Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
The secretary is appointed by the Governor of California and confirmed by the California State Senate, serving at the pleasure of the governor. Notable secretaries include appointees by governors Pete Wilson, Gray Davis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jerry Brown, and Gavin Newsom, with confirmation hearings drawing testimony from organizations such as the Natural Resources Defense Council, California Chamber of Commerce, and labor unions like the Laborers' International Union of North America. The office has seen turnover aligned with gubernatorial transitions, with some tenures marked by litigation involving agencies such as the Department of Toxic Substances Control and interactions with the California Attorney General.
Secretaries have advanced initiatives including implementation of the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, cap-and-trade programs linked to the Western Climate Initiative, zero-emission vehicle mandates in coordination with the California Air Resources Board, pesticide regulations interacting with the Environmental Protection Agency, and water quality enforcement under the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act. Programs have targeted industrial sites linked to corporations such as Exide Technologies and Pacific Gas and Electric Company, promoted renewable energy projects involving Tesla, Inc. and SolarCity, and engaged in regional partnerships like the West Coast Governors' Global Warming Initiative and the Under2 Coalition.
The office has faced criticism over enforcement actions and regulatory oversight involving agencies such as the Department of Toxic Substances Control in high-profile contamination cases like Exide lead contamination and disputes with corporations including Chevron Corporation and Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Labor groups, environmental justice organizations such as Communities for a Better Environment, and advocacy entities like the Sierra Club have both supported and opposed policies on issues ranging from cap-and-trade to hazardous waste cleanup. Legal challenges have involved the California Supreme Court, the California Court of Appeal, and federal litigation referencing the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Category:California state executive positions Category:California Environmental Protection Agency