e x p e r t s
Patricia Monahan
Deputy Director, Clean Vehicles/
Director of the California Office
Clean Vehicles Program
Statement
“Today’s diesel-powered trucks and heavy equipment release harmful pollution that cause or exacerbate a wide range of serious illnesses—and can even cause premature death. Since diesel engines last decades, stricter tailpipe standards are not enough.
“Luckily, there are a host of strategies to reduce toxic diesel pollution. Thousands of lives can be saved by installing pollution controls on diesel engines or replacing old, dirty engines with cleaner fuel alternatives.”
Expertise
emissions analysis of diesel, gasoline, and alternative-fuel engines
diesel emissions from cars, trucks, and heavy equipment
California and federal diesel regulations
health impacts of vehicular pollution
Profile
Patricia is the deputy director for the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) Clean Vehicles Program. Her work at UCS has focused on reducing harmful diesel pollution from trucks, buses, and heavy equipment. She is currently working on federal legislation to fund cleaner school buses, as well as California-specific regulations and legislation to reduce diesel pollution.
Before joining UCS in 2001, Patricia spent eight years as a scientist working on air pollution and toxics at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Washington DC, and San Francisco. She spent several years as an energy analyst at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, where her research encompassed industrial energy use and efficiency, projections of energy use and pollution, and international strategies for reducing heat-trapping gas emissions. Patricia also worked as a consultant on projects for the United Nations Environment Programme, focusing on international energy-related issues. She has published articles on energy use, energy efficiency, and climate change.
Born in California, Patricia has a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the University of California at Berkeley and a master’s degree in energy analysis and policy from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Patricia’s hobbies include basketball, doubles volleyball, and yoga. She also spends a good deal of time and energy chasing after her two young daughters. |
