Wilson Names Aide to Run State Air Board

A Wilson Administration aide who spent nearly a decade helping mold the Los Angeles Basin’s air pollution rules and building liaisons with industry and community groups was appointed Tuesday to chair the California Air Resources Board.

Gov. Pete Wilson swore in John Dunlap III, chief deputy director of the Department of Toxic Substances Control, to replace Jacqueline Schafer, who was forced to step down from the air board after a year as chairwoman because the state Senate refused to confirm her nomination.

Dunlap, 36, spent nine years at the South Coast Air Quality Management District, highlighted by his key role in public outreach and in crafting the Los Angeles region’s controversial ride-share rule, before joining the Wilson Administration two years ago. He has a reputation as being a politically savvy and charismatic mediator on environmental issues.

The state air board has been under fire recently for its conciliatory approach toward the industries it regulates, especially the influential oil and trucking companies. Although environmentalists and industry groups reacted positively to the appointment Tuesday, opinions were mixed about how much influence industry will have on Dunlap’s decisions.

“John grew up in the most polluted areas of Southern California and worked at the air district at a time when it was grappling with some of its most interesting and difficult issues,” said Dennis Zane, executive director of the Coalition for Clean Air. “So I think he has a full appreciation of how important cleaning the air is (and) how complicated and difficult it can be.”

But environmentalists worry about his close ties to the governor’s office and Assemblyman Jim Brulte, the Republican contender for Speaker of the Assembly. “One big question mark is will he be someone who is able to be an independent voice?” Zane said.

David Titus of the California Trucking Assn. said his group is optimistic, especially because Dunlap’s father is an executive at a truck company.

Vocal opposition from the trucking industry, which opposes the air board’s proposals to adopt new standards for diesel trucks, was a major reason behind Wilson ousting of longtime air board Chairwoman Jananne Sharpless a year ago.

“What we’re hearing is that (Dunlap) is generally open to our concerns, and that has got to be a very good starting point,” Titus said.

Dan Pellissier, spokesman for the California Environmental Protection Agency, said Dunlap’s father’s ties to the trucking industry are irrelevant and will have no influence on state air policies.

Wilson said Dunlap will implement the state’s sweeping new 20-year clean-air plan, which includes regulations that would require low emission trucks, reformulated consumer products and fuels, and the purchase and scrapping of large numbers of old, polluting vehicles.

“John’s background in air quality issues will serve California well as we continue to lead the country in the development of innovative methods to improve air quality,” Wilson said.

In an interview Tuesday, Dunlap said his career at AQMD and the governor’s office offers vital training for his new post, but he declined to comment on some major issues facing the board until he does more research.

“I think I have a unique insight into not only the impacts of air pollution on the public but what it takes for industry to be able to comply, and also the role of technology,” Dunlap said. “Implementation of some of these programs can be challenging. I really tried to play a role of being a consensus-builder and bringing people together.”

Dunlap’s appointment is contingent on confirmation by the state Senate, which probably will wait six months before holding hearings. He is likely to be more popular with the Legislature than Schafer, a former official of the Reagan and Bush administrations whom Democratic legislators targeted for removal in election-year wrangling with Wilson. Schafer now serves as the air board’s communications adviser, reporting to Dunlap.

While at the AQMD, Dunlap worked as public adviser, a specialist on the rule-making staff and as transportation program manager when the agency was adopting aggressive regulations during the 1980s and early 1990s. Included was the ride-share rule that requires businesses in the Los Angeles Basin with more than 100 employees to provide incentives to their workers to persuade them to share rides. The rule was considered a bold and innovative approach to tackle solo commuting but became extremely unpopular with businesses. The AQMD board last month directed its staff to overhaul it to give companies a wider range of options.