Gatto Receives Legislator of the Year Award

BY CRAIG SHERWOOD ON DECEMBER 11, 2012 

Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) was presented with the Legislator of the Year Award Tuesday night from the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas (CRNG), a not-for-profit group that represents renewable natural-gas producers throughout the country.  Renewable natural gas is an alternative, renewable energy, derived from the natural decomposition of waste from landfills and organic sources and is used to generate green electricity and clean transportation fuel.

“Mike Gatto is exactly the kind of legislator California needs right now,” said Harrison Clay, President of Clean Energy Renewable Fuels and founding board member of CRNG.  “He is a practical-problem solver who thinks about the long term. He is diligent, thorough and determined to do the right thing for California and its residents.”

The award was given to recognize Gatto’s work on renewable natural gas this year, including two bills he authored: AB 1900 and AB 2196. The bills helped to break down barriers to using this renewable fuel in California and helped clarify the fuel’s treatment under the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standards, which require all utilities in California to buy renewable energy.   The legislation was widely hailed for helping to create an entirely new clean-energy industry in California, and bringing jobs and infrastructure improvements in the process.  The new biogas industry will also help reduce California’s reliance on foreign energy sources.

Todd Campbell, former Mayor of Burbank, lauded Gatto’s achievements: “Assemblyman Gatto’s acumen to find solutions that drive job growth, promote environmental protections, cut waste, and to protect the average ratepayer was once again demonstrated.  The passage of AB 1900 was vital to removing barriers to in-state biomethane production, a clean and cost-effective renewable resource for state power generation and transportation.  Assemblyman Gatto’s efforts will save California businesses and consumers tens of millions of dollars and help us meet climate-change goals 30 years ahead of schedule.”

The award was presented at CRNG’s annual Fuel, Power and Policy Conference in San Diego.

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  You can read this article and more at Burbank and Beyond by clicking HERE

Mike Gatto is the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee of the California State Assembly.  He represents the cities of Burbank, Glendale, La Canada-Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Atwater Village, and portions of the Hollywood Hills and East Hollywood.   www.asm.ca.gov/gatto 

Assemblyman Gatto Forms Small-Business Advisory Commission

Seeks public input on regulatory and statutory reforms to improve the state’s business climate.

November 29, 2012


Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) is seeking applications from local business owners to serve on his District 43 Business Advisory Commission.  The commission will meet several times in the months ahead, with the goal of formulating one or more legislative proposals that would be introduced by Assemblyman Gatto in the 2013 state legislative session.

Assemblyman Gatto said he welcomes input from the people working hard to keep businesses thriving.

“We hear often that our business climate could be improved. I’m interested in hearing any proposal that would make the regulatory and statutory environment more sensible and less burdensome for local business owners. ”

Last year, the assemblyman authored or co-authored several bills to support small businesses including AB 1616 (The California Homemade Food Act), AB 2026 (The Film Industry Tax Credit), and AB 1900, which created an entirely new in-state biofuel industry. He hopes the commission will help him to identify even more common sense solutions to the challenges facing local businesses.

“As lawmakers, we have a sacred duty to listen to the needs and concerns of those who help our communities thrive, and to do what we can to support them,” said Gatto.

Anyone interested in participating on the commission should email Assemblyman Gatto at Assemblymember.Gatto@assembly.ca.gov with the subject line ‘Business Commission.’

You can read this story and more at the Crescenta Valley Weekly by clicking HERE

Mike Gatto is the chairman of the Appropriations Committee of the California State Assembly.  He represents the cities of Burbank, Glendale, La Cañada-Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Atwater Village, and portions of the Hollywood Hills and East Hollywood.