Klee reappointed DEEP commissioner
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy today announced that he will re-appoint Rob Klee as commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection when his second term in office begins on Jan. 7.
“Nearly four years ago, we merged the state’s energy and environmental protection functions into one office to better coordinate policy in these integrated areas, and since that time Rob has been at the forefront of working to improve Connecticut’s approach so that we have a 21st-century vision to building a stronger future,” Malloy said in a news release. “He has helped implement innovative and breakthrough programs that are addressing long-standing environmental and energy challenges, focused on protecting our natural resources and quality of life while strengthening our economy and creating jobs. I am grateful that Rob has agreed to continue these important efforts when our second term begins next month.”
Klee said he is honored to be reappointed.
“We have made much progress in addressing key environmental and energy challenges and in transforming this agency to better serve the interests of the people of our state,” he said. “At DEEP, we will continue working closely with the governor and the General Assembly to safeguard the natural resources that make Connecticut such a special place to live and to help build a sustainable and prosperous by implementing 21st-century energy policy.”
Klee became head of DEEP in January. He served as the agency’s chief of staff for three years immediately preceding his appointment as commissioner.
As commissioner, Klee has focused DEEP on strengthening Connecticut’s response to climate change both by reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and by putting in place adaptation strategies to address changes in the climate already underway, the news release said. He is also heading the agency’s effort to double the state’s recycling rate to 60 percent through programs that encourage more recycling and that recapture more materials of value from the waste stream, and the push to streamline the process for cleaning up contaminated lands and putting them back into productive reuse.
DEEP’s agenda has also included protection of Connecticut’s lakes, rivers, streams and the Long Island Sound coastline as well as strengthening the state park system and outdoor recreation activities.
On the energy side, DEEP has been working to implement Connecticut’s first-ever Comprehensive Energy Strategy by cooperating with the state’s Green Bank on expanded energy efficiency and deployment of renewable energy sources, and working to expand opportunities for use of cleaner and cheaper natural gas for heating homes and business, the news release said. The energy agenda also includes policies to give Connecticut a more resilient and modern electric grid system.
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