SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 31, 2001 — Thomas M. Hannigan, Director of the California Department of Water Resources, today announced the assignment of B.B. Blevins to the Department's California Energy Resources Scheduling Division.
Blevins, a Deputy Secretary and former Undersecretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency, will assume managerial responsibilities alongside DWR Deputy Director Ray Hart and will assist in managing the complex daily activities of the Department's recently established electrical purchasing division.
"B.B. has shown a keen ability in managing large and complex energy programs for the State," said Hannigan. "His experience in California's successful effort to increase competition among natural gas suppliers during the late 1980s will be of particular benefit to our current effort in the electricity area."
"With his experience as former Executive Director of the California Energy Commission and as Undersecretary at Cal/EPA, Blevins is uniquely prepared to help DWR secure competitive electricity supplies that have minimal impacts on the environment."
Prior to his Cal/EPA appointment in 1997, Blevins served as the Chief Deputy Director and Acting Director for the California Department of Conservation (1995-1997), and the Executive Director of the California Energy Commission (1992-1995). Blevins began his State government career with the California Energy Commission in 1977 as a Staff Services Analyst. He received the Energy Commission's Outstanding Management Award for the years 1986, 1988, 1989 and 1990. During his tenure as Executive Director at the Energy Commission, the Commission approved 985 megawatts of new electric generating capacity.
Blevins has represented California on both the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission and the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf Policy Advisory Committee. His past board memberships include the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Science and Industry Advisory Board, the California Council on Defense Industry Conversion and Technology Assessment, the California Natural Gas Vehicle Advisory Board, and the Center for Clean Air Policy. In 1994, Blevins was chosen as a member of the German Marshall Fund Study Tour on Global Climate Change.
Blevins's new assignment is effective immediately.
The Department of Water Resources operates and maintains the State Water Project, provides dam safety and flood control and inspection services, assists local water districts in water management and water conservation planning, and plans for future statewide water needs.
Visit DWR 's Web site at http://wwwdwr.water.ca.gov
