California Automakers, Environmentalists Partner to Clean Up State Waters

SAN FRANCISCO--March 23, 2011: The California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance (CCEEB) announced today that the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and Sustainable Conservation have won the prestigious 2011 Edmund G. Pat Brown Award. The winne rs are part of a historic environmental-industry partnership that sponsored legislation to phase-out copper from car brake pads by 2025.

“It was the result of 15 years of investigating water impacts as well as partnering with manufacturers. We wanted to protect our waters and aquatic life, but to do so in a way that maintains high standards of vehicle safety.”

"Automakers support sustainable mobility that balances our need for safe transportation with protection of the environment and economic vitality," said Curt Augustine of the Auto Alliance. "So when we began focusing on removing copper from brake pads, we talked with environmental experts about their concerns, and we shared with them the timeframes required for new auto designs. Through a good dialogue, we found a way to address the issue together to protect both motorist safety and our waterways."

"SB 346, authored by Senator Christine Kehoe, was the one of the most important environmental bills passed last year," said Ashley Boren, executive director of Sustainable Conservation. "It was the result of 15 years of investigating water impacts as well as partnering with manufacturers. We wanted to protect our waters and aquatic life, but to do so in a way that maintains high standards of vehicle safety."

"This partnership shows once again that environmental policies work best and are most effective when industry and environmentalists work together," said Jerry Secundy, president of CCEEB. "That doesn't happen enough these days. They deserve to be recognized."

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and Sustainable Conservation will accept the award at a ceremony in Sacramento on April 27, 2011. California State Senator Christine Kehoe, author of SB 346, is invited as one of the guest speakers. At the same event, CCEEB will honor William T. Bagley for a lifetime of service. A former state legislator, Mr. Bagley has held many high-level posts throughout his career, including UC Regent and commissioner on the state public utilities commission.

Named after its founder, CCEEB presents the annual Edmund G. Pat Brown Award to a person or organization that exemplifies the spirit of environmental and economic balance.

CCEEB is a non-profit and nonpartisan coalition of business, labor, and public leaders that advances strategies for a sound economy and a healthy environment.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the leading advocacy group for the auto industry, represents 77% of all car and light truck sales in the United States, including the BMW Group, Chrysler Group LLC, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz USA, Mitsubishi Motors, Porsche, Toyota, Volkswagen Group of America and Volvo Cars North America.

Founded in 1993, Sustainable Conservation's effectiveness lies in building strong partnerships with business, agriculture and government and establishing models for environmental and economic sustainability that can be replicated across California and beyond.

For more information on the Pat Brown Award, including ticket information, contact cceeb@cceeb.org.

For information on SB 346, visit Suscon BPP.