New Episode of Resources Radio: “Big Decisions in Air Quality Regulations, with Mary Nichols”
WASHINGTON, DC—Resources for the Future (RFF) today released a new installment of Resources Radio: “Big Decisions in Air Quality Regulations, with Mary Nichols.”
In this episode—the third in our ongoing “Big Decisions” spin-off series—guest host and RFF President and CEO Richard G. Newell talks with Mary Nichols, an environmental lawyer and the longtime chair of the California Air Resources Board. Nichols reflects on the policy debates that have animated her years leading the agency, from early disputes surrounding Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s push for a cap-and-trade program to more contemporary discussions about systemic injustice and creating environmental solutions that prioritize issues of equity. Looking ahead, Nichols is optimistic about the willingness of automakers to comply with the state’s ambitious zero-emission vehicle goals but is discouraged by the resistance of many Americans to measures that protect public health.
Stay tuned for more episodes in our month-long spin-off series, “Big Decisions: The Future of US Environmental and Energy Policy.” Every Tuesday in October, RFF President Richard G. Newell and RFF Board of Directors Chair Sue Tierney will share guest-hosting duties and chat with leading decisionmakers, analysts, researchers, and reporters about the big decisions that will impact US environmental and energy policy in the years to come.
Notable quotes from the podcast:
- Benefits of California’s multifaceted approach to environmental policy: “[California has] a complicated system, but these [programs] interact with each other. For example, if you have a regulation that has the utilities building more renewable energy projects and phasing out fossil fuels, they don’t have to buy as many allowances from the cap-and-trade program … I don’t know that we’ve got it perfect, but we’ve been able to reduce emissions and do it in a way that has not only not hurt the California economy, but I think demonstrably has been beneficial.” (14:30)
- Momentous change is necessary to achieve carbon neutrality: “If we [aim for] no longer putting more into the atmosphere than it can absorb, and taking out as much as we can and storing it in trees and soils or in geological formations, we can prevent the continued warming from going to catastrophic levels. If that’s the goal that we are willing to accept as a country … we’re going to have to move fast to make some big changes.” (22:13)
- Failures to respond to COVID-19 foreshadow similar struggles with climate: “You see the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and … you see people demonstrating for the right to not wear a mask or violently protesting against measures to protect public health. The lack of a consensus around the need to protect public health and the lack of willingness to trust science need to be addressed seriously [if we want to protect the environment]. That’s probably the biggest challenge that I see.” (33:05)
Resources Radio is a weekly podcast series exploring timely environmental, energy, and natural resources topics. Episodes can be found on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Soundcloud, Spotify, and Stitcher.
Resources for the Future (RFF) is an independent, nonprofit research institution in Washington, DC. Its mission is to improve environmental, energy, and natural resource decisions through impartial economic research and policy engagement. RFF is committed to being the most widely trusted source of research insights and policy solutions leading to a healthy environment and a thriving economy.
Unless otherwise stated, the views expressed here are those of the individual authors and may differ from those of other RFF experts, its officers, or its directors. RFF does not take positions on specific legislative proposals.
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