Personnel Notes

Arun Majumdar is leaving ARPA-E, a centerpiece of Energy Secretary Steven Chu’s push to develop next-wave green-energy technologies.

Michael Bromwich, the former Interior Department official who helped boost offshore drilling safety regulations in the aftermath of the massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill, has joined Boston-based law firm Goodwin Procter.

Bromwich will serve as a partner in the firm’s Litigation Department, which is based in Washington and New York City. He will focus on corporate criminal investigations, among other things, according to a statement issued by the law firm Wednesday.

“Mike will add even more strength to our active national and international investigations practice and also provide clients with unparalleled experience and expertise in the energy sector,” Mark Tully, partner and chairman of Goodwin’s Litigation Department, said in a statement.

The World Resources Institute named Andrew Steer, the World Bank’s special envoy for climate change, as its new president Wednesday.

“Andrew is a dynamic and gifted leader, with a deep knowledge of sustainability issues and on-the-ground experience in the world’s most rapidly developing economies. As these issues become more urgent, Andrew is ideally suited to lead WRI in achieving its mission,” James Harmon, chairman of the environmental tank’s board of directors, said in a statement. 

“A passionate and eloquent communicator, Andrew will champion the organization’s evidence-based and results-focused approach to build a healthier and more sustainable planet.”

The Wilderness Society, a major national conservation group, on Monday announced that The Nature Conservancy’s Jamie Williams will become its new president.

Williams, who was The Nature Conservancy's director of landscape conservation for North America, said in a statement that he’s “thrilled” with the new position atop the 77-year-old Wilderness Society.

“I am a strong believer in a collaborative, community-based approach to conservation, and that’s one of the many areas where The Wilderness Society has been a true innovator. This is a tremendous opportunity to protect the majestic wild places that help define us as a nation,” he said in a statement.

Williams will replace longtime Wilderness Society President Bill Meadows, who announced last October that he would be stepping down after 16 years.

The American Gas Association (AGA) has tapped George Lowe, a former aide to Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and the late Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), for a senior lobbying position.

Lowe will be vice president of federal affairs for the group, which represents natural-gas utilities.

“As our national political leaders examine the changing energy landscape, George will help lead our advocacy work to keep them informed about the benefits of clean natural gas for our nation. We are excited to have him on our team,” said AGA President and CEO Dave McCurdy in a statement.

Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee named Mike Bloomquist as the panel’s new general counsel Wednesday night.

Bloomquist, who previously served as the committee’s deputy general counsel, replaces Jim Barnette, a long-time Republican staffer on the panel.

“Mike’s quick wit and even demeanor have earned the trust of our committee’s members, and having him by our side as an advocate and advisor will continue to benefit the entire Energy and Commerce Committee,” committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) said in a statement.

A former Environmental Protection Agency and Senate staffer is opening a new policy shop in Washington.  

Steven J. Shimberg on Wednesday announced the opening of SJSolutions and said he plans to "wor[k] with the administration and Congress to promote and protect clients' interests" and to "participat[e] in the development of government policies and regulations." His new firm will also challenge "harmful regulatory developments" in court and provide counsel to clients. 

"The change gives me a lot more flexibility and freedom to work with a wider range of clients," Shimberg told The Hill. "I'm really looking forward to helping people navigate the DC-environmental policy arena."

Muñoz is an immigration expert who worked for the National Council of La Raza, which works for Latino civil rights.

Hogan Lovells is beefing up its environmental practice with a former EPA official.

Adam Kushner, who previously worked as director of EPA's Office of Civil Enforcement, has been hired as a partner at the firm.

"I look forward to collaborating with colleagues on environmental litigation and regulatory matters in the United States and across Hogan Lovells' global platform," Kushner said in a statement.

Dr. Paul Anastas, a top EPA scientist who heads the agency’s research branch is leaving EPA and returning to Yale University in February.

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson announced the news in a memo to staff Thursday. Anastas is EPA’s formal science adviser and heads the Office of Research and Development.

He’s known for work on “green chemistry.” Here’s Jackson’s memo: