GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS & ADVOCACY COMMITTEE
The USGBC-LA Government Affairs and Advocacy Committee serves as a liaison between USGBC and local municipalities within Los Angeles County and the greater Chapter area, as well as with the regional agencies, the State of California and the Federal government as may pertain to matters of local concern and our Chapter mission. Our core mission is to assist local municipalities, county governments, and other agencies in the development of sustainable strategies and green building policies and programs, as well as to serve as a green building resource and outreach conduit, ultimately resulting in changes to public policy, practices, and building codes. Our mission further reaches to advocating for similar policies and programs Statewide, particularly those with direct local impact, as well as collaborating with other policy oriented organizations in meeting these goals. The Committee aims to be recognized as the primary resource for local organizations to find information in these areas.
COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP
Co-Chair
As the co-chair for the USGBC-LA Chapter’s Advocacy Committee, Melissa is working on growing the committee and focusing on local/regional issues regarding Green Building initiatives. With the strong influence Los Angeles has on the local community as well as the country, it is imperative that Los Angeles and the surrounding areas work together with the local governments to become a leader in the green movement, by showing the world how sustainability can be done.
Co-Chair
Scott Sachs is a senior associate in the Cerritos office of Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo. His practice focuses on complex litigation arising out of construction projects, with a concentration in resolving environmental issues. Mr. Sachs represents public entity owners, commercial developers, general contractors, and design professionals on private and public construction projects. He has negotiated with governmental and regulatory agencies regarding review of applications and permits concerning land use, and underground storage tanks for chemical manufacturing plants, gas stations, hospitals, and rail projects. In addition, Mr. Sachs is the chairperson of the American Bar Association (“ABA”) Section of Environment, Energy, and Resource’s Energy, Natural Resources Litigation Committee and prior chairperson of its Smart Growth and Green Building Committee, and Public Service Task Force. He is co-author of the Green Materials and Construction Chapter for the ALI ABA book, The Law of Green Buildings: Regulatory and Legal Issues in Design, Construction, Operations and Financing. He was nominated for the ABA National Outstanding Young Lawyer Award. Mr. Sachs began his legal career as a clerk at the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the Michigan Attorney General’s Natural Resources Division.
