Gage to Head Electric Car Consortium

Michael Gage, president of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Commission, on Monday was named president of CALSTART, the nonprofit consortium developing an electric vehicle industry in California.

Gage, chairman-elect of the Metropolitan Water District and formerly chief of staff for Mayor Tom Bradley, said the new industry would create thousands of jobs and expand and diversify the state’s economy “and clean our air at the same time.”

CALSTART is composed of more than 40 public and private entities including electric utilities, large aerospace companies, small high-tech firms, labor unions, environmental groups and research institutions. The consortium is developing seven interrelated transportation programs over the next two years, spending a projected $20 million.