California State Senator Darrell Steinberg named as ESA Regional Policy Award winner
On Sunday, August 10, 2014, the Ecological Society of America (ESA) will present its seventh annual Regional Policy Award to California Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg during the Society's 99th Annual Meeting conference in Sacramento, CA. The ESA award recognizes an elected or appointed local policymaker who has an outstanding record of informing policy decisions with ecological science.
"Darrell Steinberg exemplifies leadership in promoting sustainability" said ESA President Jill Baron. "As the California Senate President Pro Tem he championed bills to foster renewable energy, clean water and parks. He sets a high standard for policymakers everywhere."
Elected to the California Assembly in 1998 and to the Senate in 2006, Steinberg ascended to Senate leader in late 2008. During his time in the state Senate, Steinberg authored SB 375, the Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008 (signed into law by Gov. Schwarzenegger), which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from passenger vehicles through transit-oriented urban growth. This year, he spearheaded a framework of permanent funding for mass transit, sustainable community development and transit-oriented affordable housing using the state's Cap and Trade revenue, and also formulated a drought relief bill that prioritizes projects focusing on water conservation. In addition, Steinberg successfully passed legislation to modernize the California Environmental Quality Act.
"Despite the deniers who bury their heads in the sand and ignore global warming, the crisis of climate change is a very real threat. It's a threat we need to meet head-on by embracing new concepts of where we live and work, how we get there, and how we create sustainable industries and communities," said Senate Leader . "I'm humbled by this honor, and confident that those who follow in our Legislature will continue to carry the mantle of California's leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions."
ESA President Baron will present the 2014 ESA Regional Policy Award at the start of theOpening Plenary on Sunday, August 10 at 5 PM in the Memorial Auditorium of the Sacramento Convention Center.Kip Lipper, Steinberg's Chief Counsel for Energy and Environment, will accept the award on his behalf.
Provided by Ecological Society of America