Steven Cliff was nominated to serve as the administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), having served as the acting administrator since February.
“The RV Industry Association values our close relationship with NHTSA,” the association said in a provided statement. “We look forward to continuing to work with Dr. Steven Cliff on priority issues impacting the RV industry.”
As NHTSA acting administrator, Cliff oversees national vehicle safety standards, manages defects and recalls, and promotes education on safe driving, walking and riding. The administrator also oversees fuel economy regulations and assists with testing and distribution of advanced vehicle technologies.
Cliff earned his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of California San Diego in 1998.
In 2008, Cliff joined the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which regulates vehicle emissions through the state. Cliff later was appointed to be the California Department of Transportation’s first assistant director for sustainability.
Most recently, Cliff was deputy executive officer for CARB and oversaw development of regulations for passenger vehicle emissions, medium- and heavy-duty engine emissions and vehicle emission control certifications, among other topics.
The Center for Auto Safety noted NHTSA has been without a Senate-confirmed administrator for nearly five years.
“Steven Cliff, the current deputy administrator, has been nominated to finally fill that role,” the nonprofit organization stated. “With crash deaths on the rise, again, here is a moment when speed is warranted.”
