7. DOJ: GE attorney picked for environment post (Greenwire, 05/13/2009)

Robin Bravender, E&E reporter

President Obama announced plans yesterday to nominate a General Electric Co. counsel to serve as the Justice Department's top environmental attorney.

Ignacia Moreno would take the helm of the Environment and Natural Resources Division, which is tasked with enforcing environmental laws and defending federal regulations in lawsuits.

If confirmed by the Senate, Moreno would replace Ronald Tenpas, who took over the post in 2007. He succeeded Sue Ellen Wooldridge, who resigned amid reports that she purchased a vacation home with former Interior Deputy Secretary J. Steven Griles and a ConocoPhillips lobbyist (E&ENews PM, Dec. 14, 2007).

Moreno is now counsel of corporate environmental programs at GE. She served in the Clinton administration's Justice Department.

At DOJ, Moreno would lead a staff of more than 600 people who carry an active file of about 6,000 cases. John Cruden has served as DOJ's top environmental lawyer in an acting capacity since he was appointed by Obama in January.

In the Clinton administration, Moreno served as special assistant and principal counsel to the assistant attorney general for the environment division. In that capacity, she provided advice and counsel to the assistant attorney general, led various environmental enforcement initiatives and represented the United States in international negotiations and litigation.

Moreno has also worked at Washington law firms Spriggs & Hollingsworth and Hogan & Hartson LLP, where she specialized in environmental litigation.

Back to Public index page