Energy and Environment

Jared's Environmental Honors and Awards:

Co-Chair, with Senator Fran Pavley, of Legislative Environmental Caucus
"State Parks Legacy Award," California State Parks Foundation (2012)
"Humane State Legislator Award," Humane Society of the United States (2012)
"Legislator of the Year," Planning and Conservation League (2012)
"Golden Trout" Award, the highest award presented by California Trout (2011)
"Byron Sher Award for Legislative Leadership," the highest award presented by Audubon California (2011)
"Ocean Leadership Award," Oceana (2011)
"Legislator of the Year" (jointly with Senator Christine Kehoe), California Coastkeeper Alliance (2011)
Leadership Award from California Product Stewardship Council (2010 and 2011)
“Ocean Hero” Award for Legislative Leadership in Protecting Ocean Resources (2010) presented jointly by Environment California, Heal the Bay, NRDC, Ocean Conservancy, Coastkeeper, Surfrider Foundation and CalCoast.
Leadership Award for Protecting California Fisheries (2010), presented jointly by coalition of fishing groups including Trout Unlimited, Pacific Coast Federation of Fisherman Associations, Water4Fish, and Northern California Council of Fly Fishers
CLCV “Environmental Leadership Award” (2009)
Arbol's Cesar Chaves Star Award (2009)
Californians Against Waste, “Legislator of the Year” (2008)
California Water ReUse, Gordon Cologne Award for “Legislator of the Year” (2008)
Carla Bard Environmental Advocacy Award, California Water Policy Conference (2003)
Ted Welman Water Stewardship Award, Marin Conservation League (2002)

Our quality of life, health, future economy, and national security depend on creating new clean energy jobs in California and throughout the country, and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. Jared opposes offshore drilling in California, the environmentally destructive Canadian tar sands pipeline, and oil exploration in sensitive areas like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. He supports higher fuel efficiency standards, low-carbon fuel standards, renewable energy portfolio standards, and other clean energy policies that spur job creation while significantly reducing energy use, including innovative community-driven models like Marin Clean Energy and Sonoma County's Energy Independence Program.

As a former senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Jared brings unique experience and environmental expertise to his work as a legislator. He has produced impressive results across a broad range of environmental issues —from resource conservation to renewable energy expansion and public health protection.

Regarding nuclear, Jared supports California’s moratorium on nuclear plants and has gone further by calling on President Obama to match Germany’s ambitious plan to decommission all nuclear power plants within a decade and replace them with a combination of increased renewable generation and energy efficiency.

In Congress, Jared will continue his longstanding leadership on advancing clean energy solutions, fishery restoration and sustainable water management, and protecting our natural resources and public health. It's no wonder Jared's candidacy for Congress has been endorsed by every environmental group to take a position in the race including Sierra Club, California League of Conservation Voters, Environment California, Friends of the Earth Action Fund, Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund, Ocean Champions, Forests Forever, and by legendary environmental leaders throughout the 2nd Congressional District.

Jared’s environmental accomplishments include:

Chairman, Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee (2008 to present) and Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee (2006 to 2008)

Successful Environmental Legislation Authored by Jared:

Retention Waivers -- AB 1671: Extends the sunset date on a law prohibiting Caltrans from withholding retention proceeds on payments made to a contractor for state-funded public works projects from 2014 to 2020. This law has boosted opportunities for California small businesses to bid on valuable contracts for state transportation projects, and removed burdensome regulations by the California Department of Transportation that create significant cash flow problems for many contractors. Furthermore, the bill allows for electronic bidding on these contracts.
Military and Overseas Voters -- AB 1805: Ensures that our nation's overseas military and international support personnel can vote in the local and state elections of the communities they call home. These servicemen and women have strong ties to those communities through their families and friends and deserve the ability to help determine the leadership and direction of those communities by exercising their right to vote.
Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection -- AuthorityAB 693: The Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority (RCPA) was formed in 2009 to coordinate countywide climate protection efforts. This bill extends the sunset date on the RCPA from 2016 to 2020.
Fish and Wildlife Strategic Vision -- AB 2402: Enacts recommendations resulting from a broad-based strategic visioning process for reform of the Department of Fish and Game and the Fish and Game Commission, in order to enhance the effectiveness of these agencies in protecting and managing fish and wildlife. Among other things, this bill changes the name of the Department of Fish and Game to the Department of Fish and Wildlife, creates a taskforce to assist with enforcement of wildlife crimes, enhances the department's access to independent credible science, and establishes ecosystem-based management as a foundational principle to guide all wildlife management programs.
Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries Boundary Modification and Protection -- Act AJR 20: Calls on Congress and the President to quickly pass and sign into law expansion of the two named marine sanctuaries in order to preserve one of the most biologically-rich marine areas in the world within one of the four coastal upwelling zones on the planet comprising only one percent of the ocean yet producing 20 percent of the world's fish as well as providing important passages for endangered salmon and steelhead, essential haul sites for seals and sea lions, migration corridors for the California gray whale and other whale species, and prolific nurseries for hundreds of other aquatic species.
California State Parks Stewardship Act of 2012 -- AB 1589: Requires the Department of Parks & Recreation to develop a prioritized action plan for generating revenues and collecting unpaid user fees at state parks and calls for accurate and transparent accounting of all state park funds. Additionally, it allows taxpayers to redirect portions of their tax refunds to the California State Parks Protection Fund in exchange for an annual state park day-use access pass and clarifies that nonprofit groups that operate state parks are exempt from payment of possessory interest taxes.
The Coho Salmon HELP Act -- AB 1961: Coho salmon have virtually disappeared in some areas of California; in other areas they are teetering on the brink of extinction. Under this bill, the California Department of Fish and Game can use a one-stop approval process for voluntary habitat restoration projects that governmental and non-governmental partners are trying to implement, on-the-ground, in order to aid California's struggling coho salmon populations.
Groundwater Recharge Protection -- AB 234 (2011): Promotes better management and protection of groundwater supplies by requiring local agencies to map recharge areas that substantially contribute to the replenishment of the groundwater, and submit this information to local planning agencies.
Oil Spill Prevention/Containment -- AB 1112 (2011): Secures critical funding for California oil spill prevention programs to enable more effective monitoring and inspection of high-risk marine oil transfers and to address a projected funding shortfall that would result in program reductions that would leave California vulnerable to more oil spills.
AB 42 - State Parks Funding: Provides authority for the Department of Parks & Recreation to enter into operating agreements with nonprofit organizations in order to avoid or minimize state park closures resulting from California's fiscal crisis.
AB 964 – Small Irrigation Registration/Salmon Protection - Streamlines process for authorizing small off-stream storage projects for frost protection, a solution supported by both growers and environmentalists as part of the effort to reduce conflicts between fragile salmon fisheries and premium winegrape vineyards on the North Coast.
AB 376 (Joint Author with Paul Fong) – Shark Fin Ban: Makes the possession, sale, and distribution of shark fins illegal in California. This bill is designed to curb demand for a product that results in the slaughter of millions of sharks each year and contributes to the devastating reduction in shark numbers and species, is a factor in the collapse of ocean ecosystems.
AB 741 – Wastewater Infrastructure/Sewage Spill Prevention: This bill expands an existing law to permit local agencies to use creative financing to fix aging and dilapidated septic and sewer infrastructure, which will help prevent sewage spills and groundwater contamination.
Paint Recycling/Product Stewardship -- AB 1343 (2010): Requires paint manufacturers to create a free and convenient program for consumers to properly dispose of leftover paint, which is the single largest household hazardous waste source in California.
Department of Fish and Game Reform -- AB 2376 (2010): Requires development of strategic vision for reform of the Department of Fish and Game and the Fish and Game Commission, with help of a blue ribbon taskforce and stakeholder advisory group, to enable the state to better meet its public trust responsibilities for fish and wildlife, and to address 21st Century challenges to wildlife stewardship.
Animal Welfare and Food Safety – Uniform Prop. 2 Standards for Eggs -- AB 1437 (2010): Proposition 2, which was overwhelmingly passed by California voters in November 2008, established animal welfare and food safety standards for eggs produced in California. This bill requires all eggs sold in California, regardless of where they are produced, to meet those standards.

Water Conservation -- AB 49 (Jointly Authored with Mike Feuer) (2009): The strongest water conservation measure in California history, this bill requires the state to achieve a 20% reduction in per capita water use by 2020 for urban water use, and also imposes the first-ever conservation requirements on agricultural water users. The 20% reduction is estimated to result in conservation of 1.7 million acre of water by 2020. This bill was incorporated into SB 7X 7 as part of the historic water reforms of 2009.

Sewage Spill Prevention - Consolidation of Small Sewer Agencies -- AB 1232 (2009): Authorizes the Marin LAFCO to initiate and approve the reorganization or consolidation of the Sewerage Agency of Southern Marin (SASM) to improve agency performance and accountability. Major sewage spills into Richardson and San Francisco Bay over the past two years has resulted in serious impacts to the environment and costly fines for the sanitation districts and their customers. These spills are primarily the result of long-overdue improvements to the local wastewater infrastructure in small systems.
Sonoma County Greenhouse Gas Pilot Program - AB 881 (2009): Establishes the Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority to coordinate local government efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the County by 25% below 1990 levels by 2015.
Net Surplus Energy – Renewable Generation and Efficiency Incentive -- AB 920 (2009):
Modifies “net metering” renewable energy incentives to allow owners of solar and wind generation systems to be compensated by their electric utility company for any renewable power they produce in excess of their own demand.
Poaching of Fish and Wildlife -- AB 708 (2009): The illegal poaching of fish and wildlife poses a serious threat to California’s wildlife species and biodiversity and poaching cases are on the rise as current fines and penalties have proved insufficient to serve as an effective deterrent. AB 708 establishes minimum mandatory fines and increased revenue to local prosecutors to prosecute the egregious poaching of fish and wildlife in order to provide a serious deterrent to this illegal activity.
Integrated Regional Water Management Planning Act - AB 1654 (2008): Updates the existing Integrated Regional Water Management statutes, provides implementation framework for more than $1 billion in Prop. 84 water bond funding, and includes important environmental justice and disadvantaged community participation provisions absent from current bond funding guidelines. This bill was consolidated into SB 1XX.
Green Chemistry – Protecting Consumers and Children from Toxic Chemicals -- AB 1879 (Joint Author Feuer, 2008): The most important toxics legislation in many years, this bill creates broad authority for the Department of Toxic Substances Control to regulate hazardous chemicals in consumer products, and provides an array of enforcement tools.
Aerial Pesticide Spraying – Safeguards to Ensure Transparent Process and Sound Science -- AB 2765 (2008): Responding to the proposed spraying of aerial pesticides in the Bay Area to eradicate the Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM), this bill sets new limits on the California Department of Food and Agriculture's emergency powers. Requires a public hearing to receive testimony and examine alternatives to aerial spraying prior to any spraying in an urban area. Requires full disclosure of every ingredient in pesticide formulation, to the extent authorized by law. Requires an assessment of human health and environmental risks by state agencies.
Environmental and Public Health Protection from Oil Spills - AB 2935 (2008): Addresses key deficiencies revealed by the Cosco Busan oil spill by ensuring that properly-tested response plans are in place for California's ecologically sensitive coastal areas. Protects public health after an oil spill by closing fisheries until potentially affected fish are tested and determined safe to eat and by alerting the public to potential risks of eating contaminated fish. Enhances clean-up and protection efforts after a spill by including private watercraft and mariners, including fishermen, in oil spill clean-up strategies.
Caltrans Removal and Disposal of Animal Carcasses -- AB 2999 (2008): Responding to the 2007 discovery of widespread abuses within CalTrans involving the improper dumping of animal carcasses, this bill codifies procedures for the removal & disposal of animal carcasses from roads and highways, including notification of pet owners, and prohibits Caltrans from disposing of animal carcasses within 150 feet of waterways or drainage ways.
Renewable Energy Incentives - Aggregate Net Metering -- AB 2466 (Joint Author Laird, 2008): Authorizes local public agencies to offset energy demand at one facility with renewable energy produced at a second location.
Greenhouse Gas Emission Waiver Resolution -- AJR 53 (2008): Encourages Congress and the President to support federal legislation in the 110th Congress, which would permit California and other states to implement their standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles.
Mercury Contaminated Seafood Resolution -- AJR 57 (2008): Encourages the federal FDA to develop, implement and enforce a nationally comprehensive advisory system for seafood containing mercury levels that exceed 1 part per million.
Protection against Cross-Contamination from Genetically Engineered Material -- AB 541 (2008): Enacts safeguards against the risk of cross-contamination from genetically engineered materials in agriculture. Specifically, protects farmers from liability whose crops are contaminated by the drift of genetically engineered material; establishes sampling, analysis, and notification protocols. California’s first-ever policy regulating GMOs.
Building Standards – Inclusion of Water Use Efficiency -- AB 1560 (2007): Requires the California Energy Commission to incorporate standards for water efficiency and conservation into the existing building standards governing energy efficiency.
Energy Efficient Lighting - AB 1109 (2007): Establishes the nation’s most ambitious lighting efficiency standards with goal of reducing California’s consumption of electricity for lighting uses by 50% in 10 years and also establishes standards for reduction of mercury and other toxic chemicals in lighting products. This California law was substantially incorporated into the federal Energy Act of 2007.
Recycled Water - Toilet and Urinal Flushing -- AB 1406 (2007): Authorizes use of recycled water in condominium projects subject to specified conditions, including approval from the State Department of Public Health.
Solar energy - Solar Water Heating and Efficiency Act - AB 1470 (2007): Creates the largest solar hot water incentive program in the nation – up to $250 million in incentives with the goal of installing 200,000 solar hot water systems in California by 2017.