The committee held seven informational briefings and toured green businesses in every major region of California in order to highlight green jobs and industries. The briefings featured green business owners, entrepreneurs, researchers, educational leaders, local and state government officials.

“The green technology sector has shown the potential to create more manufacturing jobs, and more opportunities at every income and education level, than any other industry in California. I am very optimistic about California’s future and look forward to working with state and local leaders in this endeavor to put Californians back to work in good paying jobs.”

The Assembly Select Committee on California’s Green Economy was formed to assist state and local governments in shaping policies that will remove barriers and encourage investment and job creation to grow this emerging sector. This includes numerous interrelated fields such as renewable energy sources supplanting fossil fuel use, clean technologies, water conservation and efficiency, alternative transportation, vehicle electrification, renewable fuels, waste management, green buildings, and critical workforce development.

This report represents the wisdom and experience learned from people who are actually producing results in California’s Green Economy.

Link to report: sites.google.com/site/pedronavadocs/assembly-select-committee-on-california-s-green-economy .

The informational briefing featured San Mateo County Supervisor and Board President, Richard Gordon, former State Controller and Managing Partner of the Westly Group, Steve Westly, representatives of San Mateo County and the City of San Carlos who spoke about their green initiatives, and green technology businesses in Silicon Valley. This is the sixth in a series of informational briefings held around the state to highlight green jobs and industries. Previous meetings have featured business owners, entrepreneurs, researchers, and local government officials.

Said San Mateo County Supervisor and Board President, Richard Gordon, “California is the world’s leader in green business and green technology. We in government need to understand what policies can help foster this important industry. This briefing will allow both government and business leaders to learn from each other to help create green jobs.”

“California needs jobs. We can match job growth with clean green technology so people can get back to work. Today’s briefing highlighted what business, education and community leaders in Silicon Valley have been doing to spur investment and growth in our Green Economy. I wanted to spotlight the successes and take their example to other parts of our state,” said Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Select Committee.

“Today, green jobs represent the most vibrant sector of our economy. According to the latest data, they have continued to grow even as other sectors have contracted,” said Steve Westly, former State Controller and Managing Partner of The Westly Group. “The clean energy sector has the potential to create more manufacturing jobs, and more opportunities at every income and education level, than any other industry in California.”

The Assembly Select Committee on California’s Green Economy was formed to assist state and local governments in shaping policies that will remove barriers and encourage investment and job creation to grow this emerging sector. This includes numerous interrelated fields such as renewable energy sources supplanting fossil fuel use, clean technologies, water conservation and efficiency, alternative transportation, vehicle electrification, renewable fuels, waste management, green buildings, and critical workforce development. During the next couple of months, the Select Committee will continue to examine ways to maximize job creation and also meet the state’s goals of reducing pollution to protect public health and the environment.

California’s Green Economy
Informational Briefing
Friday, October 22, 2010
9:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, Hall of Justice
400 County Center, Redwood City, CA 94063

AGENDA

Introduction
(9:00 A.M. – 9:45 A.M)

· Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair, Assembly Select Committee on California’s Green Economy
· Richard Gordon, Board President, San Mateo County Board of Supervisors
· Steve Westly, Managing Partner, The Westly Group

Panel 1: Local Government and Permitting
(9:45 A.M. – 10:30 A.M)

· Joe La Mariana, Manager of Solid Waste & Environmental Services, San Mateo County
Brian Moura, Assistant City Manager, City of San Carlos
John Sasson, Director of Business Development, Accela, Inc.

Panel 2: Future of Solar Technologies
(10:30 A.M. – 11:30 P.M)

Rory Cox, California Program Director, Pacific Environment
Brian Sager, VP of Corporate Development, Nanosolar, Inc.
John Stanton, Vice President of Government Affairs, Solar City

Panel 3: Energy Efficiency Businesses in the Bay Area
(11:30 A.M. – 12:00 P.M)

· Derek Kaufman, CEO, Glacier Bay
· Tom Quinn, VP of Sales, Lunera .

The informational hearing featured representatives of the City of Los Angeles, CALSTART, other local businesses who will covered how to stimulate job growth in California’s quickly expanding “green economy.” This is the fifth in a series of informational briefings that will be held around the state to highlight green jobs and industries. Previous meetings have featured business owners, entrepreneurs, researchers, and local government officials.

“California needs jobs. We can match job growth with clean green technology so people can get back to work. Today’s briefing highlighted what business, education and community leaders in Los Angeles have been doing to spur investment and growth in our Green Economy. I wanted to spotlight the successes and take their example to other parts of our state,” said Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Select Committee.

“California currently has the strongest policies and regulations in the nation to promote cleaner vehicles and fuels. We need to work hard to make sure that the manufacturing of those vehicles, the necessary components, and the fuels are built here in the state,” said CALSTART President and CEO John Boesel. Headquartered in Pasadena, CALSTART is the only organization focused on the growth of the entire clean transportation technology industry.”

The Assembly Select Committee on California’s Green Economy was formed to assist state and local governments in shaping policies that will remove barriers and encourage investment and job creation to grow this emerging sector. This includes numerous interrelated fields such as renewable energy sources supplanting fossil fuel use, clean technologies, water conservation and efficiency, alternative transportation, vehicle electrification, renewable fuels, waste management, green buildings, and critical workforce development. Over the next couple of months, the Select Committee will continue to examine ways to maximize job creation and also meet the state’s goals of reducing pollution to protect public health and the environment.

####
California State Assembly Select Committee on
California’s Green Economy

Informational Briefing
Monday, October 18, 2010
1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Room 1070, LA City Hall,
200 N Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

AGENDA

Introduction
(1:00 P.M. – 1:15 P.M)
· Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair, Assembly Select Committee on California’s Green Economy

Panel 1: City of Los Angeles’ Green Economic Development Initiatives
(1:15 P.M. – 1:30 P.M)

· Alex Fay, Associate in the Mayor’s Office of Economic and Business Policy

Panel 2: The state of vehicle and fuel technologies in California
(1:30 P.M. – 2:00 P.M)

· CALSTART, John Boesel, President and CEO

Panel 3: Advanced Vehicle and Fuel Company Profiles
(2:00 P.M. – 3:45 P.M)

· Cummins CalPacific, Mark A. Yragui, President of Cummins Cal Pacific and Scott Ruhlen, Director of Business Development

· Quallion, Paul Beach, Senior Executive Vice President

· The Linde Group, Mike Beckman, Vice President

· US Hybrid, Abas Goodarzi, Ph.D., President and CEO

· Capstone Turbine, Jim Crouse, Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing

· Boulder Electric Vehicle, Carter Brown

Public Testimony
(3:45 P.M. – 4:00 P.M)
· Public Comment
· Q & A.

A reception with “Green Entrepreneurs” and Members of the State Assembly will follow the briefing from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Los Angeles City Hall, Room 1005.

“California needs jobs. We can match job growth with clean green technology so people can get back to work. Business, education and community leaders in Los Angeles have been working together to spur investment and growth in our Green Economy. I want to spotlight the successes and take their example to other parts of our state,” said Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Select Committee.

Briefing

WHAT: Informational Briefing on Green Economy Job Creation in California (Agenda Below)

WHEN: Monday, October 18, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

WHO: Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair, Assembly Select Committee on California’s Green Economy, business owners, and government leaders

WHERE: Los Angeles City Council Chamber, Room 1070, 200 N. Spring Street, Los Angeles

Reception

WHAT: Reception and display of Alternative Transportation Technology

WHEN: Monday, October 18, 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

WHO: Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair, Assembly Select Committee on California’s Green Economy and others

WHERE: Los Angeles City Hall, Room 1005, 200 N. Spring Street, Los Angeles

The Assembly’s Select Committee on California’s Green Economy was formed to assist state and local governments in shaping policies that will remove barriers and encourage investment and job creation to grow this emerging sector. This includes numerous interrelated fields such as renewable energy sources supplanting fossil fuel use, clean technologies, water conservation and efficiency, alternative transportation, vehicle electrification, renewable fuels, waste management, green buildings, and critical workforce development. Specifically, the Select Committee will examine ways to maximize job creation and also meet the state’s goals of reducing pollution to protect public health and the environment.

California State Assembly Select Committee on
California’s Green Economy

Informational Briefing
Monday, October 18, 2010
1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Room 1070, LA City Hall,
200 N Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

AGENDA

Introduction
(1:00 P.M. – 1:15 P.M)
· Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair, Assembly Select Committee on California’s Green Economy

Panel 1: City of Los Angeles’ Green Economic Development Initiatives
(1:15 P.M. – 1:30 P.M)

· Alex Fay, Associate in the Mayor’s Office of Economic and Business Policy

Panel 2: The state of vehicle and fuel technologies in California
(1:30 P.M. – 2:00 P.M)

· CALSTART, John Boesel, President and CEO

Panel 3: Advanced Vehicle and Fuel Company Profiles
(2:00 P.M. – 3:45 P.M)

· Cummins CalPacific, Mark A. Yragui, President of Cummins Cal Pacific and Scott Ruhlen, Director of Business Development

· Quallion, Paul Beach, Senior Executive Vice President

· The Linde Group, Mike Beckman, Vice President

· US Hybrid, Abas Goodarzi, Ph.D., President and CEO

· Capstone Turbine, Jim Crouse, Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing

· Boulder Electric Vehicle, Carter Brown

Public Testimony
(3:45 P.M. – 4:00 P.M)
· Public Comment
· Q & A.

“The oil industry has abandoned facilities and infrastructure not only in Goleta, but all along the Santa Barbara County coast,” said Nava. “They pose threats to both the environment and public safety. It is imperative that we determine who has oversight responsibility to make sure that these sites and their corresponding infrastructure are properly removed so that the coast and its residents are protected.”

Nava continued, “Without any new drilling, 23 oil rigs off the California coast in federal waters will be set for decommissioning between 2015 and 2030. We will eventually see a clear horizon off the California coast.”

“Said Roger Aceves, “One of the more significant discussions missing from the politics and headlines about offshore oil is what to do about the aging oil-works that already dot the Santa Barbara Channel coastline. In Goleta, we face the constant threat of a high impact explosion, release or spill of hydrogen sulfide-laden oil and gas from an aging infrastructure. State Agencies must be held accountable for the conditions of these facilities and they should be working with local governments to protect our environment.”

Said Paul Thayer, Executive Director, California State Lands Commission, “The State Lands Commission wants to prevent and mitigate public and environmental hazards on state tide and submerged lands. These hazards can include marine debris, improperly abandoned oil wells and shipwrecks. The Commission requires hazard removal by responsible parties and continues to seek state and federal funding to address hazards where no responsible parties can be found.”

The oversight hearing featured state agencies and local government representatives who outlined and discussed their programs to address the long-term clean-up of abandoned oil and gas wells and production facilities. The public was invited to testify.

“California social workers will now qualify for federal financial assistance, like social workers in other states,” said Nava. “Social workers play a vital role in our communities and are on the front lines when peoples’ lives are in crisis. We owe it to them to make sure that they can access all possible resources so that they can continue to serve all of us in California.”

AB 2167 will replace California’s current state-administered licensing exam with a national exam administered by the Association of Social Work Boards. By making this change, California social workers will be eligible for the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program that provides up to $50,000 for educational costs for eligible participants.
This federal program encourages social workers to work in un-served and underserved areas throughout the country.

Said Rebecca Gonzales, Director of Government Relations for the National Association of Social Workers, California Chapter, “We are very pleased that this measure passed this important hurdle. California Social workers will now be able to qualify for this vital federal program. We commend Assemblymember Nava for his work hard work on this bill.”

The measure now returns to the Assembly for Concurrence in Senate Amendments and will then go to the Governor for approval.

“I am very pleased that AB 867 is moving forward with today’s vote. This measure will enable nursing programs across California to expand appropriately to meet the enrollment demand in nursing education programs and the state’s critical need for registered nurses,” said Nava. “Our state’s higher education system cannot currently meet our healthcare workforce needs. This measure is an important step towards rectifying this problem.”

AB 867 will allow the California State University (CSU) to independently award a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, and will allow the CSU to train their own nursing faculty and the California Community College faculty, as well as nurses for advanced practice (for example, nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and certified nurse- midwives). Under current law, the California State University system can train nurses but cannot offer Doctorate of Nursing Degrees (DNP). Faculty must have earned a DNP to train nurses.

The California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) estimates that the state’s registered nurse (RN) shortage is between 10,294 and 59,027 full-time positions. Central to this issue is a shortage of nursing faculty — there are not enough teachers available to meet the low student-to-faculty ratios required by accreditors and licensing boards for undergraduate nursing degree programs.

“The Central Valley has about 20 percent fewer nurses per capita then the national average. The Valley is in desperate need of nurses and the lack of faculty to teach them worsens the problem,” said Assemblymember Juan Arambula. “AB 867 will ensure nursing programs have the faculty needed to meet the raising demand of registered nurses in the state.”

AB 867 now moves to the Senate Floor for consideration.

Background Information

· In 2006, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) found that nearly 41,000 qualified applicants were turned away from baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs due to a lack of faculty and other resources.

· According to the 2006-07 BRN Annual School Report, expansion in RN education has required the hiring of more faculty. However the demand for faculty continues to be greater than can be met currently by the state. California RN programs reported 206 unfilled faculty positions in 2006-07, a 5.9% vacancy rate.

· The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) projects that 90% more RNs must be produced in order to meet the predicted need for one million new nurses in the American healthcare system by 2020.

“Farm workers are regularly exposed to potentially harmful pesticides risking birth defects, non-hodgkins lymphoma, leukemia and other life threatening diseases while helping bring food to our tables,” said Assemblymember Nava. “It is critical that we provide this vital workforce with the best possible protections from chemicals that adversely affect their health.”

The measure, cosponsored by Physicians for Social Responsibility-Los Angeles, the California Health Officers Association, and Pesticide Action Network of North America, will reduce pesticide poisoning in California by streamlining the tracking by state officials of pesticide usage and exposure.

“As member of a farm worker family, Mr. Nava’s legislation will provide vital protections for me, my family and my colleagues who labor everyday bringing food to the tables of Californians,” said Luis Medellin, a member of a farm worker family. “We are fearful that we are exposed to unsafe levels of pesticides, and hope that this measure gets passed so that we are all protected.”

As part of their job, farm workers in California load, mix, and apply hazardous pesticide chemicals, including organophosphates and carbamates. These pesticides work by inhibiting a nerve enzyme called cholinesterase (ChE), which is essential to maintaining normal nerve function.

Symptoms of ChE depression include: impaired reproduction; an increased risk of spontaneous abortion and congenital defects resulting in fetal death and altered birth parameters such as low birth weight and birth length; a weakened immune system; an increased risk of non-hodgkins lymphoma and leukemia; increased incidence of asthma; nerve damage; and neurotoxilogically related death.

Approximately 5 million pounds of organophosphate and carbamate pesticides were applied in California in 2008.

According to regulations enacted in 1974, employers who require workers to apply these pesticides must test workers’ ChE levels to ensure that workers’ health is not endangered. Under current law, there is no requirement for test results to be delivered to any state agency responsible for worker health.

AB 1963 is a simple fix to an outdated law – it would require electronic reporting of lab results to relevant state agencies that can protect workers and prevent pesticide poisonings.

“The testing program is over 30 years old; it’s high time to make a modest adjustment so that state authorities can determine if the program is protecting farm workers from easily preventable pesticide exposure, or not,” said Margaret Reeves, Senior Scientist at Pesticide Action Network of North America. “Reporting test results is both feasible and necessary for the protection of thousands of workers who routinely handle highly hazardous neurotoxins.”

Electronic reporting will allow authorities, including the Department of Pesticide Regulation and the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, to implement necessary safety precautions in work places with high exposure levels. These changes can include evaluating current safety precautions, changing handling practices, improving pesticide safety training, and general sanitation and decontamination practices. Additionally, electronic reporting can provide increased medical supervision of workers.

AB 1963 will lead to improvements in workplace safety and reduce farm worker exposure to harmful pesticides.

The measure now moves to the Senate Floor for consideration.

“This audit shows that 41,500 more women could have been screened if reasonable steps had been taken. The EWC program has not been managed properly. The failure to include performance requirements in millions of dollars of contracts means there is no real way to determine if state funds have been well spent. Money saved could have been used to help women,” said Assemblymember Pedro Nava, author of AB 359 signed by the Governor last year which increased access to digital mammography for women in California under the Every Women Counts program. “Changes must be made immediately so that the women who are eligible under the program’s original guidelines can get the necessary screening. The decision to cut-off screening for women under the age of 50 was not only shortsighted, but also a clear case of program inefficiency and mismanagement.”

“The Auditor’s report has uncovered what we long suspected–Every Woman Counts has been mismanaged by this administration at the cost of women’s health,” said Evans. “Judging from the Auditor’s report, Every Woman Counts should be renamed ‘Every Contractor Counts.’ The administration continues to pay consultants for outreach and training for services that the state no longer provides, thereby wasting money that could be used to screen an additional 41,500 women for breast cancer. The audit shows that reducing eligibility and cutting off services is not the solution; better management, more cooperation, and more transparency is. I call upon the Governor to immediately reinstate eligibility for women aged 41-50 and to cooperate with the Legislature to make the changes necessary to restore the vital services provided by Every Woman Counts.”

Evans and Nava requested the audit in time for incorporation into the 2010-2011 Budget Act. Since EWC has consistently faced financial shortfalls, the audit was requested to assess whether the program is operated efficiently by the Department of Public Health, making the most of the funding it has received.

The California State Auditor found that EWC:

1. Incorrectly claimed it could not redirect funds within the EWC program from other areas­such as outreach or training­to pay for more screening services and could have provided breast cancer screening to 41,500 women.

2. Cannot determine how much its contractors spend on specific services that support the EWC program­hampering its ability to redirect funds towards mammograms or other screening activities that directly support women.

3. Has not complied with state laws for more than 16 years that would allow the Legislature and the public to exercise oversight.

4. Did not comply with state law enacted in 1994 requiring an annual report to the Legislature about the program – only one report was submitted in 1996.

5. The Department of Public Health does not provide the Legislature with estimates of the number of women it expects to serve through the program in a fiscal year, even though it provides this information to the federal government to secure federal funds.

The Department of Public Health implemented two major eligibility changes to the EWC program that went into effect on January 1st of this year: they raised the minimum age for screening from 40 to 50 years; and froze all new enrollments for six months.

The Administration’s changes have disproportionately affected women from communities of color. From 2003 to 2008, 68.7% of women receiving mammograms through EWC were Hispanic, 15% were Asian-Pacific-Islander, 9% were White, and 2.5% were African American.

This year, Evans and Nava introduced Assembly Bill 1640 aimed at reversing the Administration’s eligibility and enrollment requirements for breast cancer screenings covered under EWC. The measure recently passed the Assembly and now moves to the State Senate for consideration.

Early detection of breast cancer is a key to surviving the disease. When breast cancer is detected early, the 5-year relative survival rate is 98 percent. In addition, studies show that breast cancer treatment costs can more than double if cancer goes undetected and spreads. Costs for treatment can go from about $21,000 to over $52,000.

According to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a sponsor of AB 1640, approximately 21,700 women in California will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and more than 4,000 will lose their battle with the disease.

To read the audit please go to: www.bsa.ca.gov

“Farm workers, when on the job, are regularly exposed to dangerous pesticides that could cause birth defects, non-hodgkins lymphoma, leukemia and other life threatening diseases,” said Assemblymember Nava. “It is critical that we provide this vital workforce with the best possible protections from chemicals that adversely affect their health.”

The measure, cosponsored by Physicians for Social Responsibility-Los Angeles, the California Health Officers Association, and Pesticide Action Network of North America, will reduce pesticide poisoning in California by streamlining the tracking of pesticide usage and worker pesticide exposure by state officials.

“As a member of a farm worker family, I hope that this measure gets passed. Mr. Nava’s legislation will provide vital protections for me, my family and my colleagues who work everyday bringing food to the tables of Californians,” said Luis Medellin, a member of a farm worker family. “We are afraid that we are exposed to unsafe levels of pesticides, and this measure will help make sure that we are all protected.”

As part of their jobs, farm workers in California load, mix, and apply hazardous pesticide chemicals, including organophosphates and carbamates. These pesticides work by inhibiting a nerve enzyme called cholinesterase (ChE), which is essential to maintaining normal nerve function.

Symptoms of ChE depression include: impaired reproduction; an increased risk of spontaneous abortion and congenital defects resulting in fetal death and altered birth parameters such as low birth weight and birth length; a weakened immune system; an increased risk of non-hodgkins lymphoma and leukemia; increased incidence of asthma; nerve damage; and neurotoxilogically related death.

Approximately 5 million pounds of these pesticides were applied in California in 2008.

According to a regulation enacted in 1974, employers who require workers to apply these pesticides must test workers’ ChE levels to ensure that workers’ health is not endangered. Under current law, there is no requirement for test results to be delivered to any state agency responsible for worker health. Therefore, we have no idea if the regulation is working or whether workers are actually being protected.

AB 1963 is a simple fix to an outdated law – it requires electronic reporting of lab results to relevant state agencies that can protect workers and prevent pesticide poisonings and it requires an analysis of the current program to ensure worker protection.

“The testing program is over 30 years old; it’s high time to make a modest adjustment so that state authorities can determine if the program is protecting farm workers from easily preventable pesticide exposure, or not,” said Margaret Reeves, Senior Scientist at Pesticide Action Network of North America. “Reporting test results is both feasible and necessary for the protection of thousands of workers who routinely handle highly hazardous neurotoxins.”

Electronic reporting will enable authorities, including the Department of Pesticide Regulation and the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, to review and implement necessary safety precautions in work places with high exposure levels. Additionally, electronic reporting can provide increased medical supervision of workers.

AB 1963 will lead to improvements in workplace safety and reduce farm worker exposure to harmful pesticides.

The measure now moves to the Senate for consideration.