Sustainable Conservation Wins 2011 Edmund G. "Pat" Brown
Award for Brake Pad Legislation

Sustainable Conservation honored for removing copper from car brake pads, protecting salmon and aquatic wildlife.

San Francisco, CA - The California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance (CCEEB) recently announced that Sustainable Conservation has won the prestigious 2011 Edmund G. "Pat" Brown Award. Sustainable Conservation and award co-winner, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, were part of a historic environmental-industry partnership that sponsored legislation to phase-out copper from car brake pads by 2025.

"SB 346, authored by Senator Christine Kehoe, was the one of the most important environmental bills passed last year," said Sustainable Conservation Executive Director Ashley Boren. "It was the result of 15 years of investigating water impacts as well as partnering with manufacturers. We wanted to protect our waters and aquatic life, but to do so in a way that maintains high standards of vehicle safety."

"This partnership shows once again that environmental policies work best and are most effective when industry and environmentalists work together," said Jerry Secundy, president of CCEEB. "That doesn't happen enough these days. They deserve to be recognized."

"Automakers support sustainable mobility that balances our need for safe transportation with protection of the environment and economic vitality," said Curt Augustine of the Auto Alliance. "So when we began focusing on removing copper from brake pads, we talked with environmental experts about their concerns, and we shared with them the timeframes required for new auto designs. Through a good dialogue, we found a way to address the issue together to protect both motorist safety and our waterways."

Sustainable Conservation and the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers will accept the award at a ceremony in Sacramento on April 27, 2011. California State Senator Christine Kehoe, author of SB 346, is invited as one of the guest speakers.

Named after its founder, CCEEB presents the annual Edmund G. "Pat" Brown Award to a person or organization that exemplifies the spirit of environmental and economic balance. CCEEB is a non-profit and nonpartisan coalition of business, labor, and public leaders that advances strategies for a sound economy and a healthy environment.

More about SB 346 and the Sustainable Conservation-led Brake Pad Partnership.

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