The California Senate on Thursday rejected Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's choice to head the state Air Resources Board, saying her close ties to the energy industry made her a bad fit for an agency with so much influence on the nation's clean-air laws.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Senate on Thursday rejected Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's choice to head the state Air Resources Board, saying her close ties to the energy industry made her a bad fit for an agency with so much influence on the nation's clean-air laws.
Cindy Tuck must step down as chairwoman of the board within 60 days. The Republican governor named her to the post six weeks ago over opposition from environmental and clean air groups.
Tuck declined comment after the vote. During her testimony before a Senate committee on Wednesday she promised to be "a leader for clean air."
Democratic senators, though, said her background representing groups that have opposed clean air regulations damaged her credibility. She was involved for years with the California Council for Economic and Environmental Balance, which represents industry and organized labor in trying to minimize the costs of environmental regulations.
The board, part of the California Environmental Protection Agency, is charged with reducing air pollution and toxic contaminants.
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"With more than 20 years dedicated to developing our state's air and water quality laws and regulations, Cindy Tuck was the right person to lead California's efforts to improve our air quality," Schwarzenegger said in a statement.
The governor will name a new leader for the agency as soon as possible, said his spokeswoman, Julie Soderlund.
Source: Associated Press
