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Mikhael Skvarla
Partner
CA Lobby representing California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance
Mikhael “Mik” Skvarla is one of the most visible compliance side lobbyists in climate change, energy, and transportation politics in the legislature and regulatory bodies. His desire for collaboration and teamwork across industry sectors has helped influence advocacy approaches and outcomes on issues including cap-and-trade, the scoping plan, integrated energy policy report, and legislation.
Mikhael Skvarla brings a broad advocacy experience with business, energy providers, utilities, and private labor unions. He earns trust and credibility as an honest broker dealing in facts and education. He opens channels of understanding, establishes working relationships, and maintains important connections in the Legislature, Administration, and regulatory bodies to successfully lobby for the legislative and regulatory issues of significance to his clients – specifically, Mik has been a vocal advocate of Cap-and-Trade from the first rulemaking and auction, including direct negotiations with the Administration and legislature in 2017 for the super-majority reauthorization of the program.
He drives a new-era advocacy process, which is based on designing an effective, efficient education effort and creating awareness among target audiences. As a legislative leader said, "Laws started in California don't stay in California." Mik understands both the policy environment and client business needs, connecting legislative and regulatory objectives with stakeholders, messaging, personal conversations, correspondence, testimony, and events.
As a senior analyst with the globally influential ARB, he developed a foundation in the complex and challenging elements of CEQA, integrated air quality standards and compliance, sustainability and climate change, land use, and the attendant rulemaking and regulatory trends. This includes managing the legislative reauthorization of the Clean Air Vehicle (CAV) decal program and modernizing the SMOG check program. As a former legislative and policy staff member in Governor Schwarzenegger’s office, Mik adds a deeper and nuanced understanding of the decision-making process, stakeholders’ issues, and environmental goals.
Combining all the above, he knows how to navigate the long, complex negotiating pathways among competing interests, busy legislative staff, and regulators. Before his career in public policy and politics, Mik worked for a family-owned construction company managing projects and crews to achieve on-time and under-budget results. He earned a BA in government from California State University, Sacramento and is a founding member of the Council for Giving.