CalEPA Secretary Rodriquez Statement on Debbie Raphael’s Appointment as Director of San Francisco Department of the Environment

For Immediate Release: May 1, 2014

Contact: Alex Barnum, (916) 324-9670

SACRAMENTO – California Secretary for Environmental Protection Matt Rodriquez issued the following statement on the announcement that Debbie Raphael, director of CalEPA’s Department of Toxic Substances Control, is leaving to become director of the City of San Francisco’s Department of the Environment:

“Debbie Raphael is an extraordinarily dedicated and talented public servant, and on behalf of the people of California, I am grateful for her leadership of the Department of Toxic Substances Control over the past three years.

One of her first accomplishments at DTSC was to breathe new life into California’s ground-breaking efforts to keep toxic chemicals out of everyday products. California’s Safer Consumer Products regulations, which she championed, took effect last year, dramatically changing the way consumers are protected from toxic harm.

At the same time, Debbie has begun the transformation of a Department that faced some long-standing problems when she took over in 2011. Debbie brought courage, intelligence and a strong sense of public accountability in leading the Department’s “Fixing the Foundation” initiative to address these systemic issues. And while we realize there is still more work to do, the Department has made major strides under her leadership and is in a strong position to continue its progress.

While we are sad that she is leaving DTSC, we are heartened that she will remain in government service and bring to the people of San Francisco the same energy and public spirit that she has brought to Sacramento and the state of California. We wish her well in her new position.”

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• California Air Resources Board • Department of Pesticide Regulation • Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) • Department of Toxic Substances Control • Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment • State Water Resources Control Board • Regional Water Quality Control Boards

CalEPA, 1001 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 • P.O. Box 2815, Sacramento, CA 95812 • (916) 323-2514 www.calepa.ca.gov