Governor Dannel P. Malloy's newly-appointed Department of Energy and Environmental Protection commissioner is moving closer toward being confirmed.
The General Assembly's Legislative and Executive Nominations Committee on Tuesday voted unanimously, with one member absent, in favor of Robert Klee's appointment.
Klee, who appeared before the panel for questioning, now awaits final legislative action by the state Senate.
Malloy named Klee last month to succeed former Commissioner Daniel Esty, who returned to teach at Yale University. Klee had been serving as DEEP's chief of staff since April 2011. Both business and environmental advocates voiced support for Klee's appointment on Tuesday.
Eric Brown, associate counsel with the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, called Klee intelligent and thoughtful, someone who will find innovative ways to lighten the regulatory burden on Connecticut businesses.
Watch CT-N's footage of the Legislative and Executive Nominations Committee hearing below:
