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About CCST

The CCST Story

CCST is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization established via the California State Legislature in 1988 to provide objective advice from California's scientists and research institutions on policy issues involving science. We respond to the Governor, the Legislature, and other state entities who request independent assessment of public policy issues affecting the State of California relating to science and technology.

In 1988, a coalition of policymakers and institutional leaders were seeking ways to catalyze the role of science and technology in California's future direction in research, industry, and policy. The effort resulted in Assembly Concurrent Resolution 162 - championed by then-Assemblymember Sam Farr and then-Senator John Garamendi - calling for the creation of CCST.

California has seen great advances and new challenges since then, and CCST has been invited as a voice of counsel at each turn. Over the past three decades, CCST has been asked to report on the state's R&D competitiveness, STEM education, energy production, and water future, among many other timely topics.

CCST itself has evolved as well: it added the CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship program to train more scientists for public policy careers, and it added the Federal Laboratory Affiliates to enhance its network of in-state experts - complementing CCST's sustained partnership with the University of California, California State University, California Community Colleges, Stanford, and Caltech.

California's leadership in technology, environmental stewardship, biomedicine, and other critical fields relies on its decision makers having access to clearly communicated, scientifically informed advice. With this need in mind, CCST will continue to engage leading experts in science and technology to advise State decision makers - ensuring that California policies are strengthened and informed by scientific knowledge, research, and innovation.

Sacramento Capitol

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Study Process
Peer Review Process
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Our Mission

To engage leading experts in science and technology to advise State policymakers - ensuring that California policy is strengthened and informed by scientific knowledge, research, and innovation.

Our Vision for the Golden State

That California enhances its global leadership in science, technology, and innovation - guiding our State, our Nation, and our world towards a healthy economy, society, and environment.

Board Aug 2019

Board of Directors

Chaired by Peter Cowhey, the CCST Board of Directors works alongside the CCST Council to implement our mission and programming.
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Partners of CCST

Partners

CCST works with numerous academic institutions and federally funded laboratories to make California’s policies stronger with science.
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CCST Mugs

CCST Advisory Panel

The Advisory Panel will be an interdisciplinary team of experts who will contribute to and support CCST’s efforts to bring science to California decision makers.
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CCST Staff

Staff

CCST staff implement programs as directed by the Board, providing policy analysis and project management, and serving as direct liaisons between state leaders and the Council.
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Our History

November 2018

CCST welcomes their 10th class of CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows.

September 2018

CCST celebrates their 30th anniversary with a reception at Science to Action Day ahead of the Global Climate Action Summit.

January 2018

CCST completes report for the Public Utilities Commission on Underground Natural Gas Storage in California.

February 16, 2017

CCST Awards Grants to Nine States to Explore Potential for Science Policy Fellowships; funding for the grants provided by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and the Simons Foundations beyond CA.

June 27, 2016

SB 826 (Budget Act of 2016) is signed by the Governor, directing the Public Utilities Commission, in consultation with the Energy Commission, Air Resources Board, and the Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources within the Department of Conservation to request CCST to undertake a study on the long-term viability of natural gas storage facilities in California.

January 1, 2015

CCST delivers final report to the Natural Resources Agency on an Independent Scientific Assessment of Well Stimulation.

February 2014

CCST's first Science Fellow placed in the executive branch (Governor's Office of Emergency Services) as part of a pilot project in partnership with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

September 30, 2013

CCST celebrates its 25th Anniversary with a Board and Council meeting at the California Science Center, featuring dinner under the wings of the Endeavor Space Shuttle Board and Council meeting agenda.

September 27, 2013

CCST's 25th Anniversary recognized through Assembly Concurrent Resolution 75 (Bonilla).

September 20, 2013

SB 4 (Pavley) is signed by the Governor, directing the National Resources Agency to conduct an independent scientific study on well stimulation treatments.

November 2, 2009

The first class of CCST Science Fellows begins their policy training in Sacramento; funders include the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation; Stephen Bechtel Fund/S.D. Bechtel Jr. Foundation; Kingfisher Foundation; The Heising-Simons Foundation; TOSA Foundation, and the Gen-Probe Fund.

October 2007

Partnered with the National Academies to hold the first national convocation on state-level science and technology policy.

February 2005

CCST invites NASA and U.S. Department of Energy laboratories and centers to form the CCST Federal Laboratory Affiliates, marking the first time that CCST expanded its network of supporting institutions since its inception in 1988.

February 2, 2005

First meeting of the California Teacher Advisory Council (CalTAC), formed with gifts from S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation and Stuart Foundation.

2004

The National Academies and CCST enter into a memorandum of understanding agreeing to cooperate to their mutual benefit.

2003

The CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship (CCST Science Fellows) program is proposed, originally conceptualized as the California Science and Technology Experts in Residence (CASTER).

November 1999

CCST releases the final component of the twelve-part California Report on the Environment for Science and Technology (CREST). It culminates a multi-year effort and the first comprehensive assessment of the state's science and technology indicators, and offers recommendations for how industry leaders, academic administrators, and state policymakers can plan more effectively for a high-tech economy in the future.

September 1997

The CCST Senior Fellows program is launched with funding from the Hewlett Foundation, bestowing the title upon 54 California leaders in science and technology.

May 19, 1995

Susan Hackwood, Founding Dean of Engineering at UC Riverside, was appointed Executive Director of CCST by the University of California Board of Regents, appointment effective July 1st.

1989

The first meetings of the CCST Board and Council are held.

September 15, 1988

ACR 162 is filed in record with the Secretary of State, formally chartering CCST.

August 31, 1988

ACR 162 is read for a third time and presented by Senator Garamendi on August 31. Roll was called, and the resolution was adopted by the State Senate, 38-0.

August 26, 1988

The Assembly votes to adopt ACR 162.

June 30, 1988

Assembly Concurrent Resolution 162 (Assemblymembers Farr, Quackenbush, Eastin, and Duplissea; Senator Garamendi as coauthor) offered.

Our Programs

CCST is engaged with policymakers in a variety of programs. This involves non-partisan issue analysis and data translation, ensuring policymakers have access to clear and concise information on hand. In addition to this, CCST offers a Science Fellows program to further integrate our pool of knowledge within the state legislature.

CCST Science Fellows

CCST Science Fellows

The CCST Science Fellows program places ten science and technology PhD's in one year fellowships in the state legislature.
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Senior Fellows Papers

CCST Distinguished Experts

CCST Distinguished Experts are a group of distinguished scientists, technical experts, Noble Laureates, and entrepreneurs who serve as a resource to CCST.
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Our Partners

CCST is modeled after the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine - the official scholarly body serving the United States of America - to provide the State of California with a parallel network of institutional and individual advisors. Following this model, CCST operates in partnership with, as well as receives financial and mission support from, a network of public and private higher-education institutions and Federally funded research institutions:

Academic Partners

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California State university logo
California Community Colleges
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Federal Laboratory Partners

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JPL Logo
Berkeley Lab Logo
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Logo
Sandia National Laboratories Logo
SLAC Logo

CCST operations are also made possible by the generous support of many philanthropic individuals and foundations through our annual giving and major gifts programs.

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Contact Info

1017 L St, #438
Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 492-0996

People
  • Board of Directors

  • Science Advisory Panel

  • Distinguished Experts

  • CCST Science Fellows

  • Staff

  • Partners

Our Mission

To engage leading experts in science and technology to advise State decision makers - ensuring that California policy is strengthened and informed by scientific knowledge, research, and innovation.

Projects
  • All Projects & Publications

  • SB 1281 - Assessment of Oil and Gas Water Cycle Reporting

  • SB 840 Biomethane Regulations

  • SB 826 Underground Natural Gas Storage

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