Air Resources Board Promotes Its Counsel to Executive Director

The state Air Resources Board named Michael Kenny, its general counsel, as the board’s new executive director Thursday, replacing James Boyd, who resigned after 15 years on the job.

Board Chairman John Dunlap hailed Kenny as “the perfect choice” to replace Boyd. In his six years as the board’s top staff attorney, Dunlap said, Kenny has helped “maintain the Air Resources Board position as the nation’s leader in improving air quality.”

Dunlap singled out Kenny’s efforts helping the board adopt programs aimed at cleaning gasoline and diesel fuels, as well as challenging federal clean air requirements.

Kenny, 41, will be paid $98,000 a year. He was one of at least three air board staffers who were being considered for the post.

“There were better candidates,” said John White, lobbyist for the Sierra Club.

White said Kenny is “a good lawyer and bright,” but added: “The fear that we all have is that political concerns are going to dominate technological and policy concerns.”

Some environmentalists believe Boyd was losing control over the agency’s policies to Dunlap and Gov. Pete Wilson’s office. The air board has long been criticized by lawmakers who believe its policies hinder business.

Boyd announced his resignation this month, saying: “I recognize that this step is best for me, for the ARB’s mission, and for the men and women of the ARB who have been family to me.”