ALBANY, New York — Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul plans to nominate a former Biden official as head of the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
Hochul is expected to give the nod for the high-profile post to Amanda Lefton, who works for an offshore wind developer and has a long history in Albany, according to two people familiar with the hiring process who requested anonymity to discuss the pending appointment.
If confirmed by the Senate, Lefton would replace Sean Mahar, a longtime DEC official who has served as the interim commissioner since Basil Seggos left the role in April after nearly nine years.
Hochul is facing criticism from many environmental advocates for once again delaying her own signature climate funding policy, “cap and invest.”
