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Governor names Democrat to head state environmental agency

By SAMANTHA YOUNG, | Friday, May 19 2006 1:15 PM

Last Updated: Friday, May 19 2006 1:15 PM

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Friday named a former aide to Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Steve Westly as head of the California Environmental Protection Agency.

Linda Adams, 57, a Democrat from Sacramento with a long history in state government, will come out of retirement to lead the agency at a time when the Schwarzenegger administration is advancing its initiative to reduce greenhouse gases in the state.

"This was an opportunity I could not pass up," Adams said in an interview with The Associated Press. "There is so much going on in the area of climate change and global warming."

Adams worked in state government for 32 years, most recently as chief of staff to Westly, the state controller who is running against Treasurer Phil Angelides in the Democratic primary to unseat Schwarzenegger in November.

Among her most high-profile roles, Adams also worked as legislative secretary for Gov. Gray Davis. She negotiated key bills with the Legislature, including measures to reduce car and truck emissions and establish the country's first environmental justice law.

Schwarzenegger said his new nominee would continue his administration's efforts to advance environmentally friendly policies while fostering economic growth.

"Linda's more than three decades of serving the people of California, and her depth of experience with environmental issues, gives me the confidence that this record of success will continue," Schwarzenegger said.

The Senate must approve Adams for the $131,412-a-year position. If confirmed, she would oversee half a dozen agencies that regulate air and water quality around the state.

"One of the biggest priorities will be to defend the air board's authority to adopt clean air regulations for cars," said Adams, referring to the Bush administration's challenge of the state's decision in 2004 to cut polluting exhaust from California's cars and trucks.

Adams is a member of the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board. She previously served as a member of the California Performance Review, director of the Department of Water Resources and principal consultant to the Senate Agriculture and Water Resources Committee.

Adams replaces Alan Lloyd, who retired earlier this year.