The head of CARB is one of the most powerful positions in the state, and yes—party matters (IMO). In California, I think you would be hard-pressed to find a Democrat environmentalist who isn’t a moonbat.
CARB is the entity that controls all industry, power plants, etc. (human breathing!) through their over-reaching regulations and rules. Their powers were increased with the passage of AB32 having to do with global warming (and related topics).
Is there even a single Republican skeptic on the board ?