The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and Governor Gavin Newsom announced late Monday afternoon the retirement of Liane Randolph, the board's Chairwoman since 2021, effective September 30.
Randolph, whose term was originally supposed to end in December 2026, will be replaced by Lauren Sanchez, currently Senior Advisor to the Governor for Climate. Randolph will remain Senior Advisor to Sanchez.
Randolph's term has been marked by a series of challenging issues and, for many, the implementation of regulations for the commercial trucking industry deemed as excessive and unattainable under the guidelines set by CARB. The agency has also approved significant sums for ZEV funding.
[Related: CARB policies don't reflect reality, says Port of Oakland operator]
Under Randolph's leadership, CARB was vocal in its opposition to the Trump administration, challenging rollbacks of emissions regulations and legislation such as the now-defunct Clean Truck Partnership.
[Related: DOJ sues California over Clean Truck Partnership, alleging violation of federal law]
Randolph led CARB in targeting pollution in the Golden State's hardest-hit communities and advancing major climate policies, including the 2022 Scoping Plan for carbon neutrality by 2045 and the rollout of zero-emission vehicle goals under Gov. Newsom's 2020 order.
Some of Randolph's additional achievements include:
- Adopting regulations to advance zero-emission technology including Advanced Clean Cars II, Advanced Clean Fleets, In-Use Off-Road Diesel-Fueled Fleets, Small Off-Road Engine Exhaust Emission and In-Use Locomotive rules
- Launching Clean Truck Check, a comprehensive inspection program for heavy-duty vehicles
- Updating the Low Carbon Fuel Standard to drive private investment toward cleaner fuels
Randolph has been a dedicated public servant for over two decades, including serving as Commissioner at the California Public Utilities Commission from 2015 to 2021, Deputy Secretary and General Counsel at the California Natural Resources Agency from 2011 to 2014 and Chair of the California Fair Political Practices Commission from 2003 to 2007.
"Serving the public has been the honor of a lifetime and I am incredibly proud of everything the agency has accomplished over the last five years. I thank Governor Newsom for the opportunity, my fellow board members for their partnership, and CARB staff for their unwavering dedication to the mission of clean air and a better future for all Californians," said Chair Randolph.
