Source: www.acwa.com

Newsom Appoints Blumenfeld to State Water Board

Fetched 2026-07-02 08:00 from www.acwa.com

Reading Summary (AI-generated)

Reading Summary: Newsom Appoints Blumenfeld to State Water Board

Key Facts

Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Jared Blumenfeld to the State Water Resources Control Board, replacing departing member Laurel Firestone (who left June 18, 2024).
Blumenfeld previously served as California Environmental Protection Secretary (2019–2022) and U.S. EPA Regional Administrator (2010–2016).
Newsom also reappointed Dorene D’Adamo as Vice Chair of the State Water Board earlier in the same year.
The appointment requires California State Senate confirmation.
The five-member Board now includes: Chair E. Joaquin Esquivel, Sean Maguire, Nichole Morgan, D’Adamo, and Blumenfeld (pending confirmation).

Who Is Affected

State Water Resources Control Board and its regulatory reach over California water systems
ACWA (Association of California Water Agencies) and its member agencies statewide
California water users broadly, including agricultural, municipal, and environmental stakeholders

Policy/Legal Angle

No specific laws or regulations are cited in this article; however, Senate confirmation is a constitutional/procedural requirement for the appointment.
Blumenfeld’s background at U.S. EPA and CalEPA suggests likely influence on environmental compliance and water quality regulation.

Blog Angles

What priorities will Blumenfeld bring? His CalEPA and federal EPA background skews environmental — how might that shape Board decisions on water quality standards, Delta flows, or PFAS regulation?
What is Laurel Firestone’s legacy? Firestone was a vocal advocate for disadvantaged communities and the human right to water — will Blumenfeld continue or shift that focus?
Senate confirmation dynamics: Given current political tensions over water policy, is Blumenfeld’s confirmation expected to be routine or contested?

Full Text

Newsom Appoints Blumenfeld to State Water Board

Gov. Gavin Newsom recently announced the appointment of Jared Blumenfeld, former California Environmental Protection Secretary, to the State Water Resources Control Board.

Blumenfeld served as California Environmental Protection Secretary from 2019 to 2022. His experience also includes serving as Regional Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from 2010 to 2016.

Blumenfeld will succeed former Board Member Laurel Firestone, who departed the State Water Resources Control Board on June 18. Firestone was first appointed February 2019.

Newsom also announced the reappointed Dorene D’Adamo as Vice Chair of the State Water Board earlier this year.

Blumenfeld’s appointment requires state Senate confirmation.

“On behalf of ACWA, I congratulate Jared Blumenfeld on his appointment to the State Water Resources Control Board,” said ACWA Interim Executive Director Marwan Khalifa. “ACWA looks forward to partnering with Mr. Blumenfeld in his important role on the Board to advance collaborative solutions that balance California’s diverse water needs and strengthen the state’s long-term water resilience.

“We also extend our appreciation to the former Board Member Laurel Firestone for her dedicated service and thank Board Member D’Adamo for her continued service to advancing sound water policy for California.”

In addition to Blumenfeld and D’Adamo, the five-member State Water Board includes Chair E. Joaquin Esquivel, Sean Maguire and Nichole Morgan.

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