Pete Grannis Joins Environmental Advocates of New York

ALBANY, NY (12/13/2010)(readMedia)-- Pete Grannis, former commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation and one of the most respected public servants in New York State, has joined Albany-based Environmental Advocates of New York as the group's special counsel. As such, Grannis will advise the organization on the development of state environmental policy, help identify strategic partnerships and opportunities, and work to strengthen Environmental Advocates' efforts in the state legislature.

"Much of my professional life has been devoted to protecting the health of New Yorkers and that of our shared environment," said Mr. Grannis. "In the State Assembly I worked to put laws in place to protect the places and things that New Yorkers treasure. At the Department of Environmental Conservation I worked to enforce those laws and restore the agency's position as a national leader on pressing environmental issues. Now working with Environmental Advocates of New York, I will begin an exciting new chapter serving the public interest."

"It is a thrill to have someone of Pete Grannis' stature advising Environmental Advocates of New York and the state's environmental community," said Rob Moore, Executive Director, Environmental Advocates of New York. "He not only brings a seasoned perspective on the issues, but in-depth and invaluable knowledge about how state government works and how it should work."

Environmental Advocates of New York was established in 1969 to protect the state's air, land, water and wildlife and the health of all New Yorkers. The Albany-based organization monitors state government, evaluates proposed laws, and champions policies and practices that will ensure the responsible stewardship of New York's precious environmental resources. Environmental Advocates employs 11 full-time staff and is the New York State affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation.

Pete Grannis was appointed Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in 2007 by former Governor Eliot Spitzer after serving in the State Assembly for 30 years. Prior to that, he practiced law in New York City and worked at the DEC as the agency's compliance counsel in the early 1970s.

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For more information about Environmental Advocates of New York, visit www.eany.org.