SECRETARY KAWAMURA APPLAUDS ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP IN CENTRAL VALLEY SPEECH

SACRAMENTO, January 17, 2006 – CDFA Secretary A.G. Kawamura called for more recognition for agricultural producers who practice environmental stewardship during the keynote address today at the Energy and Clean Air Business Exposition in Bakersfield. 

“Environmental stewardship provides a wide variety of public benefits, and agriculture has a key role to play as responsible environmental stewards,” said Secretary Kawamura. “We see it with agriculture’s contributions in meeting federal air quality standards for particulate matter. We also see it in the tremendous opportunity for agricultural production of biofuels, including dairy methane, ethanol and biodiesel. They provide clean, renewable fuels and are also a bridge to Governor Schwarzenegger’s Hydrogen Highway. Government agencies must work together to assist agriculture as it continues to make the journey to the Hydrogen Highway.”

The Energy and Clean Air Business Exposition, hosted by Valley Clean Air Now, gave Secretary Kawamura and Department of Consumer Affairs Director Charlene Zettel, another featured speaker, an opportunity to reinforce the governor’s “Help California Breathe Easier” message.

“Clean air is essential to the health and quality of life of all California residents,” said Director Zettel. “Actions taken to make clean air a priority will help make California a safer and more desirable place to live and work.”

In June 2005, Governor Schwarzenegger signed an executive order launching the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley, to build a coalition between state and local governments and  regional economies to address issues related to growth, such as air pollution.

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“This administration places a high priority on keeping California’s air clean,” said Secretary Kawamura. “We want to remind agriculture and all businesses in our state that, every time they practice responsible environmental stewardship, they help create a cleaner California.”