Arizona chair of House Environment Committee Fights for Clean Energy, Clean Air

State Representative Carolyn Allen (Flemming Fellow ’99) of Arizona is proud of her nickname as “Clean Air Queen.” Chair of the Environment committee since her second term, Allen has championed several bills that address better water quality, land preservation and innovative approaches to cleaner air.

Allen has been successful in shepherding controversial environmental legislation through the Arizona legislature because she approaches the issues from a combined environmental and business perspective.

With an eye on eliminating the brown cloud that hangs over Phoenix and reaching compliance with the EPA ruling for emissions, Allen worked to pass legislation (HB 2347 and SB 1427) that would have required the wintertime use of CARB Phase 2 gasoline, the cleanest burning gasoline available.

Allen encouraged Arizona residents and businesses to get involved in the clean air issue. She waged a media campaign to explain potential losses of federal money if Arizona didn’t take steps to comply with the Clear Air Act-and assuage fears of resulting high fuel prices.

In addition to her environmental advocacy, Allen has spent considerable time working on welfare reform. Allen fought to limit privatization of eligibility for TANF Temporary Assistance to Needy Families so that it would be only a pilot program. She brings personal experiences to the debate: when Allen was six years old, her father died and her mother was forced to apply for welfare. “Everyone who comes to ask for welfare is not someone who wants to stay on it,” says Allen.