Amanda Lefton was confirmed by the New York State Senate on Friday to serve as New York State’s Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner. Lefton released the following statement:
“It is the professional honor of a lifetime to serve under Governor Kathy Hochul to lead the Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) critical work and be confirmed as Commissioner by the New York State Senate.
“Despite strong headwinds in Washington, Governor Hochul is delivering time and time again and proving that our environment and economy are inextricably linked. With strong leadership at the State level, we will continue to take the reins to protect our environment and public health, support equity and inclusivity, invest in our communities, advance sustainable development, and rebuild trust in government.
“I’m grateful to the Governor for this exciting opportunity, and to the members of the Senate for entrusting me to lead the incredible New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at this key moment in the fight to protect our planet.
“With great challenge comes enormous opportunity. Time is of the essence. I’m ready to get to work.”
Commissioner Lefton has been serving as Acting Commissioner since February 2025.
Her career spans the public and private sectors, including previously serving as the Director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) within the Department of the Interior. Under her leadership, BOEM developed and implemented an ambitious federal offshore wind program creating a new industry of family supporting jobs and generational opportunity. Her collaborative approach brought together various stakeholders to responsibly manage the nation’s critical offshore energy and mineral resources.
Prior to her role as BOEM Director, Lefton served as the First Assistant Secretary for Energy and Environment for New York, where she led the State’s environmental and climate initiatives overseeing a portfolio of executive agencies including the DEC. She has also worked for The Nature Conservancy in New York as the Deputy Policy Director and climate mitigation lead, the Rochester Regional Joint Board of Workers United and the New York State Assembly and New York State Senate. Lefton comes to the DEC from RWE, one of the world’s leading players in the offshore wind sector, where she was the Vice President of Offshore Development, U.S. East.
Originally from Queens, Commissioner Lefton grew up on Long Island and holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University at Albany. She now resides in the Capital Region with her wife and stepchildren.
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