Environmental superstar and progressive Democrat Fran Pavley is running for California State Senate (SD-23). Pavley termed out in 2006 after serving in the State Assembly, where she earned a reputation as one of the most effective legislators in California.
California, and all of America, will benefit if Fran Pavley is back in the California State legislature.
The California League of Conservation Voters writes:
Bringing Back the Environmental Champion
The primary in Senate District 23, a seat currently occupied by retiring State Senator Sheila Kuehl, may be the single most watched race by the environmental community this year simply because Fran Pavley is running. Author of landmark global warming legislation including AB 1493 and AB 32, Pavley has achieved acclaim around the world for her leadership on the issue.
Fran Pavley is the main reason why California leads the nation in combating global warming. No other state legislator has accomplished more on this critical issue.
AB 1493 (the "Pavley Bill") mandates a 30% reduction in GHG emissions by 2016 for vehicles sold in California. Other states, representing about 50% of Americans, have announced that they will implement California’s regulations. Bush's EPA has blocked implementation for now, but it’s likely that either the courts or the next administration will overturn the EPA’s ruling. Fran Pavley was but one state legislator, yet the fruits of her leadership will directly impact half of America.
From NPR
The landmark climate change legislation expected to be passed Thursday by California’s legislature was the work of an unlikely environmental pioneer.
Fran Pavley spent 25 years teaching kids history at Chaparral Middle School north of Los Angeles. So when she was elected to the legislature six years ago, nobody expected she'd become a major player in environmental policy.
But the first-term Democrat made her mark early by pushing an ambitious plan for slashing greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks.
Pavley’s AB 32 (the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006) mandates that California reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, a 25% reduction from 2006 levels. This includes stationary sources such as power plants, oil refineries, and other industrial facilities.
NPR reports that other states are likely to copy this legislation also:
Pavley's legislation is getting attention. Bill Becker represents state and local air quality officials.
"Her name means it's real; it's credible. She has a track record. And people, certainly in California, but around the country respect that," Becker said.
And Becker predicts that states will follow Pavley's lead with this legislation, just as they have with her earlier bill to cut emissions from cars and trucks.
Pavley’s endorsements for State Senator include Sen. Boxer, Sen. Feinstein, the Sierra Club, AFSCME, the California Coastal Coalition, the California League of Conservation Voters, and a long list of federal, state, and local officials. Her supporters include State Senator Sheila Kuehl, the retiring incumbent in SD-23 .
The Sierra Club says:
Of course, no matter how many laws it passes, California can't tackle climate change alone, but someone had to step into the leadership vacuum created by the White House. And that's exactly what Ms. Pavley, from her unlikely position, has done.
Since terming out of the Assembly, Pavley has served as Senior Climate Advisor at the Natural Resources Defense Council.
In addition to climate change legislation, while in the Assembly Pavley also worked on legislation relating to education, clean water and air, cell phone recycling, consumer protection, privacy protection, and child care. There is still much to be done to combat climate change. More legislative action is needed to achieve an 80% reduction in GHG emissions by 2050. California needs Fran Pavley’s effective and progressive leadership back in the state legislature.
I do not live in SD-23, but I am among many Californians who are supporting Pavley's campaign. I urge other Californians, and Americans, to support her as well. California has a long history of pioneering environmental legislation that is later adopted nationwide. Fran Pavley is continuing that tradition.
Donations to Fran Pavley’s State Senate campaign can be made here, and information about volunteering for her campaign is here.