We’ve been here before. In 2016, U.S. Governors emerged as leaders on clean energy, climate and environment as President Trump set the nation in reverse. Trump 2.0 has kicked off with an unprecedented attack not just on the nation’s environmental and climate policies but on the federal government itself. In this Energy Policy Seminar, Basil Seggos, partner at the law firm Foley Hoag, will explore the question: can our state leaders re-emerge as a bulwark on environmental protection?
Q&A to follow. Buffet-style lunch will be served.
Registration: RSVP required. A Harvard University ID is required for in-person attendance; all are welcome to attend via Zoom.
Recording: The seminar will be recorded and available to watch on the Belfer Center's YouTube channel. Those who register for this event will automatically receive a link to the recording as soon as it becomes available.
Accessibility: To request accommodations or who have questions about access, please contact Liz Hanlon (ehanlon@hks.harvard.edu) in advance of the session.
About the Speaker
Basil Seggos is a partner at the law firm Foley Hoag. He is widely known for his extensive experience creating and implementing groundbreaking policy focused on energy, climate and environment in both federal and state contexts. He has deep knowledge on how to successfully deliver multidisciplinary projects, advise corporate strategy, and analyze law and regulatory policy.
Basil works on renewable energy and environmental issues, complex project siting and permitting, environmental compliance, remediation and redevelopment of contaminated land, and crisis management. His practice also includes climate change resiliency and adaptation, greenhouse gas emissions reductions, environmental sustainability and environmental corporate social responsibility.
Basil previously served as the longest-tenured Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, from 2015 through 2024. As chief of an agency of over 3,300 professionals, he positioned New York State as a global leader on climate and the environment.
In this capacity, he oversaw programs and policies that included protecting and restoring New York State’s air, lands, and waters and combatting climate change through fostering the clean energy economy. Basil’s experience included overseeing the continued rebuilding of the state’s water infrastructure and devising and implementing statewide climate resiliency defenses.
Basil was instrumental in the passage of New York's nation-leading climate change law, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, and served as the co-chair of its implementing body, the Climate Action Council. He also devised and was responsible for the $5.5 billion Clean Water Infrastructure Act, oversaw the nation’s largest Clean Water/Drinking Water revolving loan program, and spearheaded the reauthorization of the State's Superfund law, reforms of the Brownfield Tax Credit program and numerous Environmental Justice and Indian Nations Affairs programs. As co-chair of the State's Drinking Water Quality Council, Basil oversaw the establishment of the nation’s most protective water quality standards for emerging contaminants. He also devised and launched the implementation of the state’s $4.2 billion Clean Water Clean Air Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act.
Basil led the response and recovery to numerous natural and human-induced disasters and crises, including helping to lead the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. Basil took several periods of leave to deliver humanitarian aid and ambulances in war-torn Ukraine. Basil formerly worked as research associate at the Natural Resources Defense Council, a legal intern at The White House, an attorney and Chief Investigator at Riverkeeper, and an executive at Hugo Neu Corporation. Basil served as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve. He sits on numerous civic, environmental and humanitarian boards and is a fellow at the National Security Institute.
