The Sierra Club now joins the California League of Conservation Voters in supporting Das Williams’ Assembly Campaign
SANTA BARBARA, CA 
– Local Santa Barbara City Councilmember Das Williams’ record on environmental issues has received another big boost, announcing today that the Sierra Club has endorsed his campaign for the 35th Assembly District.
“Das Williams is somebody with immense experience fighting for the best interest of Santa Barbara’s and California’s environment,” said Selma Rubin, member of the Los Padres chapter of the Sierra Club. “I can say with absolute certainty that his election to the California Assembly representing the 35th district will bring with it a new era of environmental stewardship.”
Rubin then added, “As we enter a new decade we must embrace change and policies that will solve our community’s environmental challenges such as off-shore oil extraction, open space preservation and habitat restoration. Das Williams personifies our community’s cherished traditions while also embracing new directions, out-of-the-box thinking, energy and enthusiasm to meet some of our toughest challenges.”
The Sierra Club now joins its partner in the environmental movement, the California League of Conservation Voters, in its backing of Das Williams’ candidacy.
“I thank the Sierra Club for its confidence and vote of support for my campaign for State Assembly,” said Das Williams. “There’s a lot of work to be done to strengthen our environment and push California down the path to cleaner, more renewable energies, and I plan on working hard with state and local leaders to come up with smart, workable ideas for achieving sustainability in this state.”
“As 21st century environmentalists, we need to have the vision for solving regional transit issues and fighting global warming in ways that creates jobs,” added Williams. “I’m extremely proud of the strides we’ve made here in Santa Barbara during my tenure on the Council, and look forward to broadening our efforts to the rest of the state.”
During his 6 years on the City Council, Das Williams has championed the environment. He’s spearheaded a local initiative to double renewable energy use to 30% by 2011, dramatically increased funding for energy efficiency programs, and expanded the use of alternative energy for Santa Barbara city vehicles. Das helped lead the effort to restore Arroyo Burro, one of the largest wetlands restoration projects in the county, and worked to secure over $3 million to fix sewer overflows in Santa Barbara to reduce pollution in the ocean. Das Williams has also fought to fund five major fish passage projects for endangered steelhead, and has been a consistent advocate calling for an end to offshore oil drilling.
