SUMMARY:
Hook: an impactful career in clean energy and air quality
Accomplishments: executive director of the Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies (CEERT) in Sacramento, legislative director for Clean Power Campaign (CPC), and principal of V. John White Associates. Chief consultant to the California Assembly Subcommittee on Air Quality and served on the board of Governors of the California Independent System Operator (1998-2001).
In the last 35 years, V. John White’s career has been dedicated to air quality and clean energy. He has helped develop policies and technology to fight climate change, making an impact in California and beyond.
SOUND BITES/HEADLINES
A leader in California’s green energy movement
V. John White ‘73 has dedicated his career to tackling air quality and clean energy with impactful technology and regulations.
Tackling climate change, one solution at a time
Thanks to leaders like V. John White ‘73, climate change policies and programs have made a difference in California and beyond.
NARRATIVE:
V. John White ‘73 has been a writer, consultant, lecturer, advocate, and leader of the green energy movement in California for over 35 years. He is the executive director of the Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies (CEERT) in Sacramento, legislative director for Clean Power Campaign (CPC), and principal of the environmental and energy lobbying practice, V. John White Associates, representing public interest environmental and local government organizations, and new energy technology companies.
Between CEERT, CPC, and V. John White Associates, he works closely with the legislature and state regulatory agencies, primarily the Public Utilities Commission, the Air Resources Board, the California Energy Commission, and the Independent System Operator. White regularly develops policy in coordination with the agencies’ Commissioners and Board Members in order to ensure that important legislation will not conflict with agency goals and objectives.
White's career has been devoted to air quality improvement and clean energy development. As chief consultant to the California Assembly Subcommittee on Air Quality, he became the leading legislative expert on air quality technology and regulation, helping to draft the California Clean Air Act and subsequent clean air and energy statutes. White also served on the board of Governors of the California Independent System Operator from 1998 to 2001.
In 1990 he co-founded CEERT, which has become the premier energy advocacy voice for key environmental public interest groups and clean energy technology companies. He played a central role in the passage of the Pavley Clean Car bill, AB 32, and many of California’s renewable energy incentive and regulatory programs.
QUOTES
“I feel like my work and my support and engagement with the campus has been part of me giving back to the community that did so much for me.”
“I owe the launch of my career and ongoing success to maintaining my relationships with UC Riverside...My career in Sacramento would’ve never come about if UCR colleagues had not brought them to my attention.”
AVAILABLE ASSETS
Images in Photoshelter
YouTube: 2025 Distinguished Alumnus Award
Featured in UCR News: UCR Honors Gala
Featured in UCR Magazine: A Night at the Gala