Senator Steven Bradford Comments on California Air Resources Board Audit Findings

February 23, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 23, 2021

CONTACT: Austin.Panush@sen.ca.gov

 

Senator Steven Bradford Comments on California Air Resources Board Audit Findings

SACRAMENTO – Today, the California State Auditor’s Office published its Audit of the California Air Resources Board (CARB), initiated by Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) in 2020. Senator Bradford issued the following statement in response to the troubling findings in the audit and the recommendations of the State Auditor:

 

“This audit reveals an alarming failure by CARB to fulfill its duties under law to reduce emissions while maximizing socioeconomic and jobs benefits, particularly in disadvantaged and low-income communities. Their failure is criminal at best. If California wants to actually combat climate change, our programs must be cost effective and communities of color need to see real economic and health benefits. We are done being poster children for programs that do not work or benefit us.

 

“It is unacceptable that CARB created programs using billions of dollars in cap-and-trade revenue without seriously evaluating whether each actually creates the equity benefits that they claim. I am also disappointed that CARB’s response to many of the findings was asking for additional studies of these issues. This audit revealed CARB has failed to follow the Legislature’s direction to improve the transparency and efficacy of its programs. Because of this, it is clear to me that the Legislature must go further, and I will work with my legislative colleagues, the Governor, and his Administration to achieve real results for those who need them the most.”

 

The full audit report can be read here.

 

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Senator Bradford is Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, Chair of the Senate Committee on Public Safety, and represents the Los Angeles County communities of Carson, Compton, Gardena, Harbor City, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lennox, San Pedro, Torrance, Watts, Willowbrook, and Wilmington.