California Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed Cliff Rechtschaffen to the California Air Resources Board (CARB).  He replaces Dr. Bill Quirk, who was appointed in January 2023 but resigned from the Board prior to his confirmation this summer. Mr Rechtschaffen’s appointment takes effect immediately.

Since 2017, Mr. Rechtschaffen has served as a Commissioner on the California Public Utilities Commission.  Previously, he served as a Senior Advisor on Climate and Energy in the Office of former California Governor Jerry Brown.  

Earlier, Mr. Rechtschaffen was Acting Director of the California Department of Conservation. He served as Special Assistant Attorney General at the California Department of Justice, Attorney General’s Office from 2007 to 2010. Mr. Rechtschaffen was also a Professor and Co-Founder of the Environmental Law and Justice Clinic at Golden Gate University School of Law from 1993 to 2007. He served as a Deputy Attorney General in the Environment Section of the California Department of Justice, Attorney General’s Office from 1986 to 1993.  

Mr. Rechtschaffen earned a Juris Doctor degree from Yale Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics from Princeton University. This position requires confirmation by the California State Senate and the compensation is $54,114. You can read more about Mr. Rechtschaffen on the CARB website.

CRTA looks forward to getting to know and work with him in the future.