Environmental attorney Alexandra Chiaruttini has been named Chief Counsel at the Department of Environmental Protection, according to the Stock and Leader website.   She replaces Richard Morrison who was named Chief Counsel in March following the departure of Dennis Whitaker.  Her official first day will be October 13.

Chiaruttini’s profile from the York law firm’s website follows--

Ms. Chiaruttini practices exclusively in the area of environmental law, and has served her clients successfully for over fifteen years. She provides a wide range of services for clients, including compliance analysis and assistance, permitting, transactional support, and lead representation in environmental litigation.

Her work includes Federal and State issues associated with water supply, water rights, and water quality, contamination remediation, HSCA/CERCLA (Superfund) defense, lead-based paint, radiation protection, air permitting and compliance, OSHA compliance, waste issues, and dam safety.

Ms. Chiaruttini is a statewide leader in water quality credit trading, having worked on the majority of the trades to date in Pennsylvania.   Attorney Chiaruttini currently serves on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Nutrient Credit Trading Program Enhancement Workgroup. 

This state Workgroup is assisting to evaluate impediments to trading or participation in the market, and opportunities for improvement and for enhancement of the Commonwealth's current water quality credit trading program.  The trading program is an alternative way to gain compliance with discharge permit requirements and to achieve water quality improvement.

Attorney Chiaruttini testified on Senate Bill 1493 in 2008 before the Senate Environmental Resources & Energy and the Agricultural & Rural Affairs Committees.  The bill discusses nutrient and sediment reduction credits; the idea of establishing the Nutrient Credit Training Board and providing for its powers and duties; and providing for powers and duties of the Department of Environmental Protection.  Read her testimony here.

She further provides a wide range of specialized representation for the real estate development and building community, including sewer planning, wetlands regulation, stormwater, erosion and sediment control, endangered species, and historic and cultural resources.

She assists clients in identifying energy consultants and funding sources as Pennsylvania has switched to an electricity choice state, providing specialized grant writing services for the numerous Federal and State energy grant programs, representation related to commercial-scale alternative and renewable energy projects for businesses, government, nonprofits, and industrial entities.

She is admitted to practice before all Pennsylvania state courts and before the Middle District of Pennsylvania, and regularly practices before the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board.

In 2008, Ms. Chiaruttini was recognized as one of Central Pennsylvania's 40 Under 40 Business People, an award that distinguishes individuals who have made a significant impact in their professional careers and in their communities.

In 2014, she was named a Women of Influence honoree by the Central Penn Business Journal.  The distinction recognizes 25 women leaders in the midstate who are influential in their companies, industries and communities, and have solid reputations based on their experience, integrity, leadership, and accomplishments.

9/7/2015