CEH Statement on the California Recall Election 2021
As a 25-year-old organization leading the nationwide effort to protect people from toxic chemicals, the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) supports the results of the California Recall Election and calls on Governor Gavin Newsom to follow through on his commitments to environmental health and addressing the climate crisis.
An incoming Republican Governor would have had the power to roll back Gov. Newsom’s executive orders, including a historic ban on fracking and his commitment to move California to 100% renewable energy by 2045. In fact, both Republican front runners in the recall election said that they wanted to increase fracking in California. Historically, CEH’s policy work has directly influenced fracking bans in the U.S.
Gov. Newsom’s challengers are friendly with corporate polluters and support policies that threaten the health and well-being of vulnerable frontline communities and communities of color. The top Republican contender Larry Elder threatened to undo progress made in California. As a staunch Trump supporter, he has derided the Black Lives Matter movement; his policies ignore science and threaten the safety of the most vulnerable Californians; and his remarks have painted women as incapable of understanding politics, economics, and current events.
Gov. Newsom’s replacement would have had the opportunity to appoint like-minded people to important roles at regulatory agencies meant to protect our air, water and soil from dangerous polluters.
“This recall was driven by extremist right-wing forces who threatened to undue California’s leadership on environmental health and justice with lasting impacts at the national and international level,” said Michael Green, CEO of CEH. “We call on Gov. Newsom to enact policies to protect our health and environment, including AB1200 which awaits his signature. CEH looks forward to continuing our work with the Newsom Administration to protect people from toxic chemicals in their air, water, food, and products.”