Press Releases

SACRAMENTO—California State Controller Betty T. Yee today appointed Mark Gold to the Clean Energy Jobs Act Citizens Oversight Board.

Approved by California voters in 2012 through Proposition 39, the Jobs Act allocates projected revenue to California’s General Fund and the Clean Energy Job Creation Fund to support public schools and create jobs in the clean energy sector.  The measure established a Citizens Oversight Board to review expenditures, which maintains transparency and accountability for the fund.

Gold brings to the board 30 years of experience in environmental science.  He received a doctorate in environmental science and engineering at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and was the first hire at Heal the Bay, an organization he led for 18 years.  Now Gold is Associate Vice Chancellor for Environment and Sustainability at UCLA, leading a research initiative known as the Sustainable LA Grand Challenge and catalyzing sustainability education and engagement across campus.

“As we work to meet critical climate goals, green-energy jobs will represent a growing portion of California’s labor force,” said Yee, the state’s chief fiscal officer.  “Efforts to overhaul energy efficiency in our schools will increase opportunities for these jobs of the future, and I appreciate Mr. Gold bringing his expertise to the table.”

Under the Clean Energy Jobs Act, up to $550 million annually could be available for eligible projects to improve energy efficiency and expand clean energy generation in schools.  Eligible local educational agencies — including county offices of education, school districts, charter schools, and state special schools — can request funding by submitting an energy expenditure plan application to the California Energy Commission.

The Controller, Attorney General, and Treasurer each appoint three members to the Citizens Oversight Board, while the California Energy Commission and California Public Utilities Commission each have one ex officio member.  Members may serve up to three four-year terms.  They serve without compensation, but are reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

As the chief fiscal officer of California, Controller Yee is responsible for accountability and disbursement of the state’s financial resources. The Controller also safeguards many types of property until claimed by the rightful owners, and has independent auditing authority over government agencies that spend state funds. She is a member of numerous financing authorities, and fiscal and financial oversight entities including the Franchise Tax Board. She also serves on the boards for the nation's two largest public pension funds. Elected in 2014, Controller Yee is the tenth woman elected to a statewide office in California’s history. Follow the Controller on Twitter at @CAController and on Facebook at California State Controller’s Office.

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