Steven Allison
Elections and appointments
Personal
Contact
Steven Allison ran for election to the Irvine Ranch Water District to represent Division 4 in California. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Allison completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Steven Allison was born in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Palisades High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from Pennsylvania State University in 1999 and a Ph.D. from Stanford University in 2005. His career experience includes working as a scientist and serving on the Sustainability Commission for the City of Irvine.[1]
Allison has been affiliated with the following organizations:[1]
- American Association for the Advancement of Science
- Ecological Society of America
- American Geophysical Union
- American Academy of Microbiology
Elections
2024
See also: Municipal elections in Orange County, California (2024)
General election
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Allison in this election.
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Steven Allison completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Allison's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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As a scientist with expertise in drought and climate change, I’ll bring a unique perspective to the IRWD Board of Directors. I have 15 years of experience analyzing trends in climate and impacts on California landscapes, and I’ve led many large grants and teams to get projects done. I enjoy analyzing and solving complex problems that require critical thinking. Water security in the American West is one of those complex problems, and I’m ready to apply my expertise to make sure we have a clean, reliable, and affordable water supply as climate changes.
- Scientist for clean water. I’m a leading ecologist and professor at UC Irvine. I study drought impacts on southern California and supervise a diverse team of scholars solving environmental problems.
- Keeping rates affordable. Everyone deserves clean, affordable water. I will invest in water-saving rebates, climate-smart infrastructure, and financial assistance for ratepayers in need.
- Community leader. As an Irvine Sustainability Commissioner, I fought to keep plastics and contaminants out of our water while drafting the city’s first Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.
Preserving our environment, and water supply, is the main reason I am running for this office. Climate change, especially drought, is a threat to water security in California and much of the American West. That’s why I want to apply my expertise in climate science and drought impacts to reduce our dependence on imported water by boosting incentives for conservation. Also, IRWD’s state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plants play an important role in keeping pollutants out of Newport Bay and the coastal ocean. Oversight by someone with scientific expertise is vital to ensure IRWD’s infrastructure is ready to meet the challenges of extreme weather and emerging contaminants.
I have been Professor of Ecology and Earth System Science at the University of California, Irvine, since 2007. I also direct the Newkirk Center for Science and Society at UCI which supports research and programs responsive to community needs. I earned my B.S. in Biology with a chemistry minor from Penn State in 1999 and a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Stanford University in 2005. My research and teaching focus on drought and climate change in California ecosystems. I’ve served on the Irvine Sustainability Commission since 2021 and helped write the city’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.
The Irvine Ranch Water District Directors oversee the drinking water supply and wastewater treatment for over half a million people in central Orange County. Key Water Board responsibilities include making decisions about water rates, maintaining water supply and treatment infrastructure, making policy and legislative recommendations, promoting water conservation measures, ensuring long-term water security, and educating the public about water systems.
Some voters may not be aware that the water supply is governed by a publicly elected Board of Directors. Few people think about water unless there is a shortage or contamination issue (just look at Flint, Michigan). Providing reliable, clean water at affordable rates is crucial and depends on oversight by a functional Board of Directors with diverse expertise. The Irvine Ranch Water District is also known worldwide for innovation in water re-use and recycling. Its water treatment plants provide recycled water for irrigation through a dedicated “purple pipe” system which is now used by other water authorities around the world.
A Water Board Director should have expertise in science, engineering, policy, management, and finance. Critical thinking and analytical skills are also important for solving problems that arise, such as fluctuations in water supply or aging infrastructure. Strong communication and teamwork skills are essential to advocate for effective policies and work with other water agencies and municipalities.
Democratic Party of Orange County, 314 Action, Women for American Values and Ethics, Carpenters Union, Congresswoman Katie Porter, State Senator Dave Min, State Senator Josh Newman, State Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris, Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley, Irvine Councilmember Kathleen Treseder, Irvine Councilmember Tammy Kim, IRWD Director Karen McLaughlin, IUSD Board of Education Member Katie McEwen
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
External links
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 26, 2024
