HARTFORD -- Gov. Dannel P. Malloy this morning named Yale University professor and environmental expert Daniel C. Esty to lead his recently announced state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
Esty, a Harvard College graduate, is a nationally known environmental expert who has written or authored nine books. He currently serves as the director of the Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy, as well as Yale's Center for Business and the Environment.
In 2007 and 2008, he served as Presidential candidate Barack Obama's campaign adviser on energy and the environment, and he then served on the presidential transition team.
As chairman of Esty Environmental Partners, he leads a company that provides consulting services to a wide variety of companies. Those listed on the firm's web site include Coca-Cola, Disney, Dow Chemical, FedEx, IBM, IKEA, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia, Timex, and Wal-Mart.
Earlier this week, Malloy announced his plans to consolidate the state Department of Environmental Protection with the Department of Public Utility Control, for the new Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. The plan requires approval by the Democratic-controlled state legislature.
In a statement announcing his choice this morning, Malloy said: "I am glad that Dan Esty has agreed to accept this challenge, and with it, the directive to better integrate and coordinate our state's energy and environmental policy in order to strengthen our ability to protect the environment; to clean, conserve and lower the cost of energy; and to set the table for rapid and responsible economic growth.
"His experience advising private companies and the president of the United States, coupled with his knowledge of environmental law and policy is second-to-none, and I know this new department will be on the cutting edge of environmental and energy policy with Dan at the helm," Malloy said.