SAN RAFAEL - North Bay Assemblyman Jared Huffman has been named co-chairman of state Assembly Legislative Environmental Caucus for 2009-10.

His counterpart in the state Senate has yet been appointed, but that announcement is expected within the next few weeks, Huffman said.

"As caucus co-chair, I am looking forward to working with colleagues in both houses on strategies to improve California's air and water quality, protect our precious natural resources, and ensure oversight and accountability as state agencies move forward with implementation of landmark environmental laws regarding global warming and green chemistry," the San Rafael Democrat said.

"The next legislative session will present unprecedented environmental challenges and opportunities, including among other things, oversight of AB 32 implementation, legislation to increase the renewable portfolio standard to 33 percent, numerous bills and possibly a bond relating to water resources and the crisis in the Delta, and oversight of the Department of Toxic Substances Control as it begins to exercise its new authority in the area of green chemistry," Huffman added.