Almost a year after a bill passed that required the governor to add a medical doctor and a scientist to the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District's governing board, only the MD has been appointed. Until passage of the law, the governing board was made up of purely valley politicians.
The Merced Sun-Star ran an editorial last week enjoining Gov. Schwarzenegger to name a scientist. One of the two who have submitted their names for consideration is David Grantz, the director of the UC Kearney Research and Extension Center academic staff. Grantz is an air quality effects specialist and plant physiologist. He is an expert on global warming and the direct effects of atmospheric contaminants, such as ozone and particulate matter, on crops and native vegetation.
Grantz maintains a Web site with information about his research, activities for kids and teachers, and links to sites with current air pollution levels.
The other scientist who put his name in the hat is Henry Jay Forman, professor in the School of Natural Science at UC Merced.
The Sun-Star's editorial says, "there's no reason at all for waiting any longer to fill the air board seat reserved for a scientist. There are two good choices from the Valley. The governor should pick one."
Attached Images:
