Governor’s Budget Includes Senator Portantino’s Funding Request for Carnegie Institution for Science’s Relocation to Pasadena

State Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – Pasadena) expressed strong support and appreciation to Gov. Gavin Newsom for including a $20 million dollar investment in Monday’s budget announcement for the relocation of the Carnegie Institution for Science to Pasadena.

Portantino initiated the request.

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.

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 dollars and will be adjacent to Caltech.

More than two hundred new hires and relocated staff will be housed at the research facility.

“Today, Governor Newsom invested in climate science and the 25th State Senate District through a significant allocation to help the Carnegie Institute for Science relocate its national research operation to Pasadena,” Portantino said. “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 Governor Newsom would be as enthusiastic as I was.

“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 Governor 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.”

Sen. 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 further cement efforts to secure state support for the planned relocation to Pasadena.

Today’s budget announcement by the Governor is the successful culmination of those efforts.

“We are incredibly grateful to Governor Newsom for recognizing the value that our research will bring to California and for including a $20 million dollar grant in his January budget,” said Dr. Eric D. 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 Senator Portantino for championing and facilitating this grant with our team and the Newsom administration. The Senator’s leadership was instrumental in making this happen and generations of Californians will benefit.”