San Francisco, CA – Mayor London N. Breed today announced the appointment of Tyrone Jue as the new Director of the San Francisco Environment Department (SF Environment). Jue, who has been serving as the department’s Acting Director for the past year, grew up in San Francisco’s Chinatown neighborhood and is the first Chinese American and person of color to lead the Environment Department. His appointment follows a nationwide search led by the Commission on the Environment and is effective immediately.
“Tyrone Jue has been dedicated to public service and advancing environmental policies, and he will bring those qualities as new Director for the San Francisco Environment Department,” said Mayor Breed. “San Francisco’s transition to an emissions-free, sustainable City requires engaging with community, building partnerships, and collaborating with other cities, counties, states, and nations. No one is better suited to build these environmental bridges than Tyrone. As we address the immense challenges brought by climate change and work to meet our bold environmental goals, I am confident that Tyrone’s leadership will help San Francisco become an all-electric, green City of the future.”
Since becoming Acting Director in April of 2022, Jue has advanced the City’s environmental goals with the development and implementation of key sustainability policies and initiatives. He led efforts to create a new ordinance to reduce food waste by diverting surplus food away from the waste streams to City non-profits delivering it to people who need it most. He also updated the environment code to require municipal facilities to continue transitioning away from natural gas to clean electricity. Additionally, he has hired key positions that will enable San Francisco to continue implementing the 2021 Climate Action Plan as well as secure state and federal funding for building decarbonization, zero waste, and electric vehicle initiatives. This is possible thanks to the Mayor’s commitment to climate resilience reflected in her new budget.
“I am grateful to Mayor Breed for her climate leadership and the opportunity to lead this globally recognized department,” said Tyrone Jue, Director of the San Francisco Environment Department. “Following the Mayor’s bold 2021 Climate Action Plan as my roadmap and working closely with the neighborhoods, I plan on collaborating with all our diverse San Francisco communities to create a more sustainable, healthier, and equitable environment."
With two decades of public sector environmental experience, Jue has focused on key environmental issues like renewable energy, clean air, and clean water. He has been directly involved in shaping and launching some of the City’s, and region’s, most consequential environmental initiatives, including CleanPowerSF, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s (BAAQMD) ban on NOx-emitting appliances, the City’s All-Electric New Construction Ordinance, recycled water projects, the ban on PFAS in take-out food service ware, the transition to 100% renewable energy, and a new ordinance on construction and demolition debris.
Prior to serving as SF Environment’s Acting Director, Jue served as the Assistant Deputy General Manager at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, and Climate Policy Advisor to both Mayors Ed Lee and Mayor London Breed. In February 2020, Jue was also an integral part of San Francisco’s COVID pandemic response at Moscone Center as the City’s first Joint Information Section Chief where he directed the activities of over 60 medical, health, and communications professionals to protect public health and ensure equitable outcomes.
During both administrations, he has continued to serve as the Mayor’s appointee designee on the Board of Directors for BAAQMD. On the Board he has served as the Vice-Chair for the first Community Equity, Health, and Justice Committee focused on investing in traditionally marginalized and disinvested communities and addressing disparities in Air District programs, policies, practice and procedures.
“Not only has Tyrone helped the Air District target its new rules to improve air quality in the communities that are disproportionately affected by pollution, but he has also ensured that our process engages impacted communities before we take action and focuses on equitable outcomes,” said Emeryville Mayor and BAAQMD Chair John Bauters. “He has been an invaluable member of the Air District as Mayor Breed’s designee, and I know he will provide the same leadership and focus on equity at the San Francisco Environment Department.”
“Mayor Breed’s bold Climate Action Plan deserves a leader steeped in urban environmental issues who understands the City’s complex equity needs and how they must be integrated into any new environmental initiative to ensure we are protecting the neighborhoods that will disproportionately bear the brunt of climate change. After years of working with Tyrone, I am confident he is the right leader for the Department,” said Eddie Ahn, President of the San Francisco Commission on the Environment. “I want to thank my fellow Commissioners for their support during the search process and Department staff for their patience during this transition.”
Tyrone Jue was born and raised in San Francisco, and also resides in the City. He holds degrees in both Psychology and Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of California Davis.
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