(February 6, 2007) Dominic DiMare, vice president of government relations for the California Chamber of Commerce, will represent the business perspective as part of an advisory committee on the state’s new law capping carbon emissions.
The 18-member Economic and Technology Advancement Advisory Committee will advise the state Air Resources Board (ARB) as it identifies and assesses technology development and research opportunities that will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The committee also will make recommendations on funding and incentive options.
“I look forward to working with the other members of this committee to find and support ways in which California can move to the forefront in advancing technology and leading the development of climate change mitigation solutions for California and the rest of the globe,” said DiMare.
Creation of the advisory committee is required by the law calling for California to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, AB 32 (Núñez; D-Los Angeles; Chapter 488, Statutes of 2006).
The committee includes representatives from business and industry, academia, environmental interests and business development.
Former Cal/EPA Secretary
Chairing the advisory committee is Dr.Alan Lloyd, former secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency and a former chair of the ARB. Lloyd now serves as president of the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). He holds a B.S. in chemistry and Ph.D. in gas kinetics from the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom.
Sponsored by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the Energy Foundation, the ICCT is made up of regulators and experts from leading auto markets around the world who participate as individuals based on their experience with air quality and transportation issues.
The stated goal of the ICCT is to dramatically improve the environmental performance and efficiency of cars, trucks, buses and transportation systems to protect and improve public health, the environment and quality of life.
Committee Vice Chair
The vice chair of the advisory committee is Bob Epstein, co-founder of Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2), as well as four information technology firms: Sybase, Inc., GetActive Software, Zight (Colorado Microdisplay) and Britton-Lee. Epstein is an engineer with a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley.
E2 describes itself as “a national community of business people who believe in protecting the environment while building economic prosperity.” E2 works with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), which has headquarters in New York, and states that contributions for E2 membership are made directly to the NRDC.
The network of more than 2,000 people works at both the state and national levels. More than 600 members from 22 states work in technology, consulting, venture capital, financial services and a number of other sectors.
Staff Contact: Amisha Patel