Press Releases

SACRAMENTO—California State Controller Betty T. Yee today announced the appointment of Jim Spano 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.

Over his tenure of more than four decades with the California State Controller’s Office, Spano conducted audits in a wide range of policy and program areas. He retired in December 2020 as chief of the Division of Audits. In that capacity, he oversaw a team responsible for administering the Controller’s independent audit authority, working to ensure taxpayer dollars are expended at the state and local level without fraud, waste, or abuse.

“Mr. Spano’s knowledge of auditing and accounting best practices and his proven attention to detail will help ensure funds distributed through the Clean Energy Jobs Act are being allocated as voters intended –in support of the clean energy jobs that are so critical to addressing climate risk, and supporting our ongoing economic recovery,” said Yee, the state’s chief fiscal officer. “I am pleased he has accepted this opportunity to continue his excellent service to the State of California.”

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 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 and reelected in 2018, 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.