First published in the Jan.13 print issue of the Pasadena Outlook.
Gov. Gavin Newsom included a $20 million investment in the recent budget announcement for the relocation of the Carnegie Institution for Science to Pasadena, a request initiated by state Sen. Anthony Portantino.
The Carnegie Institution for Science is an independent nonprofit research institution established in 1902, with a singular focus on solving the most pressing scientific problems.
The Institution is planning to relocate its entire national climate and biological research operation to Pasadena, where the new worldwide center of scientific discovery will work collaboratively on strategies to solve environmental, biological and energy threats to California and the world.
The 135,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art facility is slated to cost $120 million and will be situated adjacent to the California Institute of Technology. More than 200 new employees and relocated staff will be housed at the research facility.
“When Carnegie Science’s move to Pasadena was brought to my attention, I immediately believed that the state needed to help, and I was confident that Gov. Newsom would be as enthusiastic as I was,” Portantino said. “This is an exciting day for Californians, for Carnegie Science, and all those who are concerned about the consequences of global warming and other environmental impacts.
“I am grateful to Gov. Newsom for his continued leadership on environmental protection and for his recognition of the importance this new research campus will have for California and the positive impact it will have on combating environmental threats,” he added.
Portantino personally requested state support from the governor for the Carnegie Science relocation and arranged meetings between Carnegie’s leadership team and the governor’s resources agency. Over the past six months, he has been collaborating closely with representatives of the Carnegie Institution for Science, the governor’s office and Senate colleagues Bob Wieckowski and Henry Stern to secure state support for the planned relocation to Pasadena.
The budget announcement by the governor is the successful culmination of those efforts.
“We are incredibly grateful to Gov. Newsom for recognizing the value that our research will bring to California and for including a $20 million grant in his January budget,” said Eric Isaacs, president of the Carnegie Institution for Science. “This will help facilitate our move to Pasadena and get us up and running to where we can work to improve the life and vitality of our collective environment.
“We are also very appreciative to state Sen. Portantino for championing and facilitating this grant with our team and the Newsom administration,” he added. “The senator’s leadership was instrumental in making this happen and generations of Californians will benefit.”
