Gavin Newsom’s pick for California’s Board of Environmental Safety, Rhys Williams, is under growing pressure to step down as environmental advocates question whether he can fairly oversee hazardous-waste disputes while also working at a private lobbying firm that represents companies in the toxics business. Williams, a former deputy chief of staff to the governor who was appointed to the five-member board in January, appeared virtually at the board’s July 23 meeting and did not respond to the advocates’ complaints, even as the panel’s role in hazardous-waste permit appeals takes on new scrutiny.
Advocates Demand Resignation
This week, a coalition of environmental groups sent Williams and the board a letter demanding his resignation, arguing that his consulting work is flatly incompatible with the board’s mission to protect communities from toxic exposure. The letter, which was also sent to the Department of Toxic Substances Control, highlighted companies tied to the lobbying firm’s client list and warned that the mere appearance of divided loyalties could erode public trust in upcoming decisions.
Advocates say the perception problem is already here. As reported by CalMatters, Bradley Angel of Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice said the appointment “does not bode well for impartiality,” and called on state leaders to draw a clearer line between regulators and the industries they oversee.
Axiom Hire And Client Ties
Public records show Williams joined Axiom Advisors in May, and the firm publicly welcomed him in a June posting on LinkedIn, touting his years of experience inside state government.
Lobbying registries list Clean Harbors and GKN among companies tied to Axiom’s reported client roster. GKN was at the center of a late May chemical-tank emergency in Orange County that triggered major evacuation orders. LobbyLinx filings and coverage in the Los Angeles Times detail the company’s connection to the Garden Grove incident and its inclusion on Axiom’s client list.
Governor's Office Responds And Legal Questions
The governor’s office notes that Williams went through a standard vetting process before being appointed and that his board role has been public since January. The position is part time and comes with listed compensation, according to state records. The Office of Governor Gavin Newsom records Williams’ January appointment and the stated pay for the post.
Reporting also indicates Williams has agreed to recuse himself from any matters that involve Axiom clients. Legal experts interviewed say the arrangement appears to be on solid legal ground, even as it raises broader questions about how much overlap the public is willing to tolerate between regulators and the industries they regulate, according to CalMatters.
Board's Work Ahead
The Board of Environmental Safety is slated to hear a series of permit appeals and to set fees for hazardous-waste facilities in the coming months, decisions that can directly affect where toxic materials are stored and how closely those sites are monitored. That calendar has turned the spotlight on impartiality and transparency, as advocates warn that even the perception of bias could overshadow the board’s rulings.
Meeting schedules, agendas and staff materials outlining upcoming permit decisions are posted online so residents can see what is coming before the board. For those keeping score at home, the panel’s next sessions and document packets are available on the Board of Environmental Safety website.
