Record: Jerry Brown

Brown has long been recognized as a national environmental leader. As Governor, he made California a leader in energy efficiency, solar, geothermal and wind energy. At one point, California had over 90% of the electricity generated by wind power. He also established the California Conservation Corps, the premier environmental youth corps in the country.

As Mayor of Oakland, Brown fought for sustainability and green construction, making Oakland among the top 10 green cities in America.

As Attorney General, Brown has led the fight against George Bush’s EPA, and defended California’s landmark tailpipe emission laws and actively promoted local land use policies that reduce oil dependency and global warming.

His campaign website, as of July 30, 2010, contains a more specific list of what he points to as his environmental accomplishments while Governor and while Attorney General:

As Governor of California, I:

Promoted Renewables and Energy Efficiency

Adopted the nation’s first building and appliance efficiency standards that have saved CA residents $56 billion over the past three decades, created 1.5 million new jobs and avoided the need for more than a dozen large power plants.

Established California as a leader in wind power, solar energy, and cogeneration.

Cut Unhealthy Air Pollution

Adopted the toughest anti-smog laws in the country, cutting air pollution by almost 50% while vehicle traffic increased 20%.

Cut lead in gasoline by 75%.

Banned the sale of chemicals that were causing a hole in the ozone years before they were banned by international treaty.

Protected California’s Coastline

Signed into law the California Coastal Commission and Coastal Conservancy Acts, which have successfully protected hundreds of miles of California’s beautiful coastline, ensured coastal access to all Californians, and restored many more coastal resources.

Successfully fought federal efforts to expand offshore oil drilling in Southern California.

Increased Parks, Wilderness and Wildlife Habitat

Added more than 700,000 acres to California’s State Park system and acquired nearly 17,000 acres of sensitive wildlife habitat.

Used funding from the Energy and Resources Fund (created in 1980) to reforest private timberlands, restock lakes and rivers, preserve wetlands, and promote soil and water conservation.

Successfully obtained federal protection for five wild and scenic rivers in Northern California.

Restored hundreds of miles of salmon and steelhead runs.

Protected Drinking Water

Helped direct $2 billion in clean water grants, improving drinking water quality and creating 48,000 jobs statewide.

Established Recycling Programs

Established the first statewide recycling programs for paper and used motor oil, preventing additional environmental destruction and saving tens of millions of dollars.

Controlled Hazardous Materials and Pesticides

Implemented strong enforcement program to control hazardous materials.

Signed a law requiring identification of carcinogens in the workplace and established program to limit release of carcinogens into the air.

Established programs to regulate the use of pesticides.

As Attorney General, I have:

Fought to Reduce Pollution

Overturned the Bush Administration’s weak rules that failed to reduce health risks from soot (particulate matter).

Defended California’s auto emission standards against the Bush Administration and multiple legal challenges from the automobile industry. This led to the historic agreement between the Obama Administration and the auto industry that requires cars nationwide to adopt California’s standards.  As a result, cars in America will use less gasoline, pollute less, and consumers will save money.

Joined other states in suing the Bush Administration for failure to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act, culminating in a historic Supreme Court ruling that greenhouse gases are air pollutants subject to the Act.

Petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to regulate air pollutants from ocean-going vessels, aircraft, and construction equipment.

Forced the U.S. Department of Energy to adopt stronger efficiency standards for various appliances, resulting in energy savings equivalent to taking millions of cars off the road.

Sued the federal government for blocking an innovative local financing program (Property Assessed Clean Energy) embraced by half of California’s counties to increase efficiency retrofits, install rooftop solar, and increase local jobs.

Protected Consumers from Toxics

Worked with District Attorneys statewide and brought multiple actions against companies for illegal disposal of toxic wastes, groundwater contamination and other threats to public health.

Recovered millions of dollars for violations of California’s toxics, water quality and other laws.

Stopped the Bush Administration from weakening rules requiring industrial facilities to disclose their toxic emissions to the public.

Recovered $19.5 million from Shell for underground gas tank violations.

Protected Open Space, Livable Communities and Wildlife

Reached groundbreaking settlements with the County of San Bernardino and City of Stockton requiring that they plan for healthier and more sustainable development and reduce greenhouse gas pollution.

Worked with cities and counties to develop long-term growth plans to reduce pollution and traffic.

Halted the Bush Administration’s efforts to gut major portions of the federal Endangered Species Act.

Overturned the City of Pleasanton’s cap on residential housing so that jobs and housing can be sited in closer proximity, thereby decreasing sprawl and freeway congestion.

In interviews with CLCV while running for Attorney General, Brown pledged to make environmental enforcement a top priority and committed to assigning strong legal advocates to this division in the AG’s office. He promised to re-invigorate the environmental prosecution department.

Environmental issues named as Browns’ top concerns in the CLCV candidate interviews for Attorney General in 2006 included improving the quality of life for all Californians, addressing climate change, our growing personal “toxic load,” and continued threats to species depletion and extinction.

Rating: Jerry Brown

 As governor, Brown’s scores from the California League of Conservation Voters ranged from a low of 63% in his final year to a high of 100% in three different years. As the only potential candidate for governor to have previously held the position, his votes on environmental legislation earned him an average score of 86%.

1975: 70%
1976: 94%
1977: 100%
1978: 100%
1979: 80%
1980: 100%
1981: 80%
1982: 63%