Friday, October 2, 2015

Basil Seggos To Be Nominated as DEC Commissioner

 
Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced that Basil Seggos will be nominated to serve as Commissioner for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

"Basil is an exceptional public servant, a strong advocate for the environment, and is dedicated to serving the public both as a member of my administration and as a member of the U.S. military," Governor Cuomo said. "I am proud to nominate him as Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner, where he will continue to advance the agency’s critically important mission of protecting New York's natural beauty and resources."

Seggos joined the administration in 2012 and has served as Governor Cuomo’s Deputy Secretary for the Environment since 2013. He is also a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve and currently serves at a JAG unit in Schenectady.

“It is a great honor to continue to serve Governor Cuomo and the people of New York State in this new and exciting capacity,” Seggos said. "Governor Cuomo has established one of the strongest environmental records in the nation, doing so while returning the state to a prosperous economic path. As we continue to confront significant environmental challenges, I look forward to building on this record, hand-in-hand with the Department’s dedicated and talented staff.”

Previously, Seggos served as Vice President of Business Development at the Hugo Neu Corporation, a private equity company with a focus on recycling and sustainable industry. Prior to that, he served as Riverkeeper’s Chief Investigator, attorney, and Hudson River Program Director. Seggos also previously held positions at the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Council on Environmental Quality in the White House.

Seggos holds a J.D. and Environmental Law Certificate from Pace University and a B.A. from Trinity College. He lives in Voorheesville with his wife and three daughters.

Marc Gerstman will continue in his role as Executive Deputy Commissioner of the agency. 

Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo 

Note: The following was submitted to From The G-Man shortly after the aforementioned report was published. 

Statement Regarding the Nomination of DEC Commissioner

“We congratulate Basil Seggos on his nomination – as commissioner he will have a lot on his plate, and we will be happy to partner with him to do what’s best for our environment and public health. There is nothing more important than for the Cuomo administration to implement a Climate Action Plan. Virtually every decision that is currently, and will come, before the DEC impacts our climate, as do the decisions made throughout state government. A plan will ensure everyone is rowing in the same direction. Following the Pope’s visit and call for action, as well as Governor Cuomo’s own promise to move away from all fossil fuels by 2050 and generate half of all energy from clean renewable sources within 15 years, the first orders of business must be the implementation of a Plan, as well as the enshrinement into law of the Governor’s goals. As the head of DEC, Mr. Seggos will play a critical role in delivering on those commitments.”

Peter Iwanowicz, Executive Director, Environmental Advocates of New York

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