A top U.S. EPA official in the Clinton administration has been hired to lead legislative and regulatory affairs efforts for a natural gas advocacy group.

Peter Robertson, the former EPA acting deputy administrator, started as senior vice president of legislative and regulatory affairs at America's Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA) on May 14, the group said.

"I am convinced that policies that take full advantage of our abundant domestic natural gas resource can make a real and positive difference in our energy future, and I look forward to making that case with members of Congress, their staffs and with members of the administration," Robertson said in a statement.

Most recently, Robertson was a partner at the Washington, D.C., law firm Crowell & Moring, where he advised corporations and trade associations on climate and energy policy and companies on chemical regulations.

He was EPA's acting deputy administrator from 1998 to 1999 under Administrator Carol Browner, who is now President Obama's top energy and climate adviser. Prior to that, Robertson was Browner's chief of staff from 1995 until 1998 and was EPA's deputy assistant administrator for solid waste and emergency response from 1994 to 1995.

Robertson also worked as an attorney at the Washington law firm Patton, Boggs and Blow, where he specialized in environmental and legislative law. And he served as a senior staff member on the House Budget Committee and as a legislative staffer for former Rep. James Jones (D-Okla.).

"Peter's knowledge of energy and environmental policy and government affairs, coupled with his deep understanding of the many benefits of natural gas, make him uniquely qualified for this position," ANGA President and CEO Regina Hopper said in a statement.

"His experience working on these issues, in both the private and public sectors, will be a great asset in raising the profile of natural gas with lawmakers and policymakers as we work together to advance our clean energy future."

ANGA, which represents 34 independent natural gas exploration and production companies, formed in March 2009. The coalition has sought to convince Congress and the Obama administration that there is an abundant supply of natural gas and it should be the focal point in helping the country reduce carbon dioxide emissions and dependency on foreign oil.