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Each year PCL and the PCL Foundation honor our "Environmental Heroes of the
Year" at an awards ceremony. This year we are celebrating the work of six
heroes: Senator Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Bill Yeates, Mother Lode Chapter,
Sierra Club, Debbie Davis, Martha Davis and Small Business California. These
individuals and organizations have demonstrated energy, thoughtfulness and
persistence in their work to protect our environment and public health.
Awards Presentation PowerPoint Presentation (1.98MB PDF file)
Assemblymember Pedro Nava
Legislator of the Year |
| Last year, Texas-based Plains Exploration and Production Company (PXP), with
Governor Schwarzenegger's support, attempted to drill in state waters for
the first time in decades. The State Lands Commission rejected PXP's
proposal. Then, PXP tried to insert its deal into the state budget through
last-minute, dark-of-night legislative skulduggery. Assemblymember Pedro
Nava (Ventura and Santa Barbara), working with a coalition of environmental
groups, led the Assembly's effort to defeat the drilling proposal. Nava has
since championed an oil severance tax (AB X6 1), which, if passed, will move
California to a greener, stronger future. Assemblymember Nava is receiving
this award in recognition of his leadership in protecting Sanctuary Act
waters and for his efforts to generate $1.5 billion annually to fund
critical programs that have suffered drastic cuts over the last two years. |
Photo Credit: Aaron Guzman |
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Bill Yeates
Carla Bard Award for Individual Achievement |
Bill Yeates has extensive knowledge of the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA) and our state's natural resources. Bill's understanding of the
CEQA process, lead him to author the Planning and Conservation League (PCL)
Foundation's first Community Guide to CEQA. In 2007, he updated the entire
Guide
with a special section on climate change. Yeates also provides CEQA
Workshops to the public on their role with CEQA using curriculum he
developed with the Foundation. By fall of 2008, he was assisting the
Foundation with the creation of the Local Climate Action Initiative Toolkit.
Another major contribution was his work on Senate Bill 375, which links land
use to transportation and housing. This work led to his participation in the
Sacramento Land Use Summits offered by PCL. Bill Yeates is receiving this
award in recognition of his leadership, tireless efforts, and commitment to
the environment. |
Photo Credit: Aaron Guzman |
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Mother Lode Chapter, Sierra Club
David Gaines Non-Profit of the Year |
The Sierra Club challenged Stockton's updated 2035 General Plan, arguing
that the Plan and environmental review did not adequately address the
increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated by a proposed doubling in
the size of the City. The suit was settled after State Attorney General
Jerry Brown
intervened and the three parties negotiated a ground-breaking legal
agreement in October 2008. The City agreed to adopt a Climate Action Plan
(CAP) within 24 months, and to adopt infill growth targets and green
building ordinances. The CAP will provide specific growth strategies to meet
the AB 32 goal which is a 20% reduction in GHG emissions by 2020. The Mother
Lode Chapter of the Sierra Club is being recognized for its successful
campaign to revise the Stockton General Plan to include a GHG emissions
reduction plan and exemplary policies on climate change and sustainability. |
Photo Credit: Aaron Guzman |
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Debbie Davis
Environmental Justice Advocate of the Year |
| Working at the forefront of environmental justice issues, especially those
that relate to water, is Debbie Davis. Though access to clean, safe, and
affordable water may be at the top of your basic necessity list, the reality
is that many of California's poorest communities don't have this basic
necessity. Through her work at the Environmental Justice Coalition for
Water, Davis has empowered community members to become strong voices for
water justice. In October 2008, Debbie was charting a new course for water
solutions in California with a diverse set of advocates. Working with the
Planning and Conservation League, the Coalition has convened a continuing
series of all-day Water Summits to promote collaboration and action around
California's water issues. Last April the participants in the California
Water Summit endorsed 10 principles to guide water reform. Debbie Davis is
receiving this award because of her demonstrated leadership in California
water justice issues and to celebrate her expertise in the Legislature on
environmental justice issues. |
Photo Credit: Aaron Guzman |
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Martha Davis
Dorothy Green Water Policy Advocate |
| From the Bay Delta to Mono Lake, the Inland Empire to the Los Angeles River,
Martha Davis has lead the charge on statewide water issues and been at the
forefront of water supply debates. While she was the Executive Director of
the Mono Lake Committee, the Committee's campaign culminated in the State
Water Resources Control Board's unanimous decision to protect Mono Lake.
Recently, Davis helped shift the dialogue and gaze of Southern California
water managers from the Sierra snowpack to "homeward" water sources. Through
her position as an Executive Manager of the Inland Empire Utilities Agency
(IEUA), she has helped IEUA to set the example as one of the SoCal leaders
in "go-local" water sources. In fact, 70% of the water used in IEUA's
service area is from local sources and future new water needs in this
growing region will be met through a combination of water efficiency,
recycled water, stormwater, and desalted groundwater supplies. Martha Davis
is receiving this award for her professional leadership, tireless efforts
and commitment to water issues in California. |
photo credit Eric Harding |
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Small Business California
Environmental Business of the Year |
| Small Business California (SB-Cal) advocates for policies that ensure the
well being of California's 3.2 million small businesses. One of its most
recent policy considerations was Assembly Bill 32, which set a target to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020. SB-Cal was not only
advancing the legislation, but working with small businesses across the
state to increase their energy efficiency, thereby decreasing their
greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, SB-Cal has affirmed its commitment by
participating in the national climate change debate. In June 2009, SB-Cal
testified before Congress to ensure that small business was not ignored in
the climate change discussion. Small Business California is receiving this
award for its direction, presence, and consistent commitment in supporting
AB 32 and energy efficiency over the last several years. |
photo credit Eric Harding |
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