Grannis Nominated for DEC Commissioner and Enck for Deputy Secretary for the Environment

New York, New York --- Governor Eliot Spitzer has selected Manhattan Assemblymember Alexander B. "Pete" Grannis to serve as commissioner of the state Department of Conservation (DEC) and Judith Enck as Deputy Secretary for the Environment -- two important nominations that will bring proven environmental advocates to these powerful offices.

Grannis, who has served in the assembly since 1974, has a strong record of protecting the environment, including preservation of open spaces, reducing packaging waste, and bringing New York into compliance with the federal Clean Air Act. While chair of the assembly's first subcommittee on toxic wastes, he sponsored legislation ensuring a worker's right to know about hazardous materials in the work place and has worked to regulate the disposal of toxic wastes. His work has earned him numerous endorsements from NYLCV.

Judith Enck boasts an equally notable environmental record. For the past eight years, Ms. Enck has served as a policy advisor to Attorney General Eliot Spitzer. Prior to joining the Office of Attorney General, she was a senior environmental associate with the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG). She has also served as the executive director of the Environmental Advocates of New York.

"We applaud the governor for nominating Pete Grannis for DEC commissioner and Judith Enck for Deputy Secretary of the Environment, two strong environmental leaders. Upon their appointments, we look forward to working with Mr. Grannis and Ms. Enck to ensure that environmental protection gets top priority in 2007 and in legislative sessions to come," said NYLCV Executive Director Marcia Bystryn.