The Environmental Defense Center (EDC) has named Alex Katz as its new executive director. EDC is one of the nation’s longest-running public interest law firms working to protect the California coast, natural resources, and the earth’s climate.

Katz brings 25 years of experience in public service and communications to the fight for environmental protection. He is committed to climate action, conservation, and justice for communities that are disproportionately harmed by the fossil fuel industry and other sources of pollution.

“We are thrilled to welcome Alex to EDC,” chief counsel Linda Krop said. “He has been an innovative leader on environmental issues in California and will be a strong advocate for our mission to protect California’s south Central Coast, preserve our open space and wildlife, and address the climate crisis.”

Katz has held leadership roles at every level of government in California, including chief of staff of the Oakland City Attorney’s Office, where he helped to initiate Oakland’s groundbreaking lawsuit against major oil companies to hold them accountable for the costs of adapting to sea level rise.

He also served as a communications and climate policy aide to Congresswoman Barbara Lee, and last year completed UC Berkeley’s Beahrs Environmental Leadership Program.

“I look forward to working with Alex to continue and expand EDC’s impact,” said Rob Tadlock, EDC Board president.

“For the last 45 years, EDC has been the indispensable advocate for our local environment and communities,” Tadlock said. “As the climate crisis intensifies, the threats to the ocean, clean water, and life on the South Central Coast are greater now than ever.

“EDC will continue to face those threats head on as we move into the next phase of our history as a fierce defender of local communities and our natural environment.”

Former EDC executive director Owen Bailey, who was an inspirational leader and environmental champion, served in that role for more than nine years. Sadly, he passed away last year after a long battle with cancer, and EDC has been without a full-time executive director since then.

Katz will join a staff of 10 members and two year-long legal fellows.

Started almost 50 years ago in response to the devastating Santa Barbara oil spill, EDC has a track record of winning significant cases against powerful interests, including a case that resulted in a ban on fracking and acidizing from all West Coast offshore oil platforms, and a recent settlement that stopped the city of Lompoc from discharging contaminated waste water into local waterways.

The nonprofit organization works to ensure a voice for those who care about the California Coast, the Santa Barbara Channel, and the environmental health of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties.

As a nonprofit law firm, EDC provides free and low-cost legal services to other nonprofit community groups and has represented nearly 140 organizations throughout its history.

Since 1977, EDC has empowered community-based organizations to advance environmental protection. EDC’s focus areas include protection of the Santa Barbara Channel, ensuring clean water, preserving open space and wildlife, and addressing climate and energy.

Learn more at www.EnvironmentalDefenseCenter.org.