Press Releases

SACRAMENTO—California State Controller Betty T. Yee today announced the appointment of Adrienne Alvord to the Clean Energy Jobs Act Citizens Oversight Board.

Approved by California voters in 2012 through Proposition 39, the Clean Energy 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.

Alvord brings to the board more than 25 years of experience in energy, agricultural, and environmental policy in the government, nonprofit, and private sectors. She is western states director for the Union of Concerned Scientists, based in Oakland, where she ensures passage and implementation of clean energy laws and helps pioneer energy, infrastructure, climate, and transportation policies. Alvord previously worked in senior staff roles in the California State Legislature as lead aide for then-Assemblymember Fran Pavley on California’s landmark climate legislation (AB 32). A fifth-generation Californian, Alvord received a bachelor’s degree from University of California, Berkeley. 

“As we work to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and transition to the low-carbon economy, clean energy jobs are critical to the state maintaining its leadership through sustainable practices,” said Yee, the state’s chief fiscal officer. “Ms. Alvord’s expertise will help ensure our schools are using taxpayer money prudently as they become greener places to teach and to learn.”

Under the Clean Energy Jobs Act, up to $550 million annually is available for eligible projects to improve energy efficiency and expand clean energy generation in schools. The last date for eligible local educational agencies — including county offices of education, school districts, charter schools, and state special schools — to request funding from the California Energy Commission through an energy expenditure plan was June 30, 2018.

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 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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