State senators Wednesday confirmed Gov. Kathy Hochul’s pick to lead the state’s environmental agency.

Amanda Lefton will now become the commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Conservation. She was nominated by Hochul in February to replace former Commissioner Basil Seggos, who stepped down in March 2024. Lefton takes over the department, which has faced criticism for being behind on releasing regulations to keep up with the state’s ambitious emission reduction rules set under the 2019 Climate Act. 

Amanda Lefton (Courtesy of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation)

Lefton previously served as director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) within the U.S. Department of the Interior, which developed and implemented a federal offshore wind program.

She has also been the first assistant secretary for energy and environment for New York and deputy policy director and climate mitigation lead for the Nature Conservancy in New York.

“Governor Kathy Hochul made an excellent choice in selecting Amanda to lead the DEC,” The Nature Conservancy Executive Director Bill Ulfelder said. “The Nature Conservancy has a long track record of partnering with DEC to conserve the lands and waters critical to New York’s public health and economy. We are excited to continue our work with the agency under Amanda’s leadership to protect and restore New York’s environment for future generations.”