By Ryan O’Connor
Staff Writer

Hopkinton resident Thomas Burack has been confirmed as new commissioner of New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services by the Executive Council and Gov. John Lynch, who nominated him.

About a month after Michael Nolin announced he would be stepping down at DES, Burack’s commission won support on Sept. 13.

“New Hampshire’s environment and natural resources are among our state’s most important economic assets and I look forward to working with Tom Burack to protect them while fostering economic growth,” said Lynch. “Tom brings a broad range of environmental and business experience to this job and we will work closely to bring people together to find commonsense solutions that work for New Hampshire.”

The main issues Burack may confront is one that hits close to home ­ the Bio Energy plant in West Hopkinton.

DES has been involved in legal battles with the parent company, Regenesis, since the plant’s solid waste permit was revoked by the commission in June 2005. In the decision, DES assistant commissioner Michael Walls said Bio Energy failed to disclose information about Anthony DiNapoli, a company principle who was charged with witness tampering, a felony.

The company is appealing the DES decision, but citizen groups are also appealing to DES to make the permit revocation permanent.

Burack said it would be inappropriate to discuss Bio Energy or any other issue that could come before him once he officially assumes the commissioner post on Nov. 1. In addition, Burack’s law firm, Sheehan, Phinney, Bass and Green of Manchester, has represented the company in the past.

“As far as the policy issues that have been raised by (Bio Energy) that relate primarily to construction and demolition debris, all I can say is I look forward to working with Gov. Lynch and all concerned parties to try to find some common-sense solutions that work for New Hampshire,” he said.

Regenesis officials are taking a similar approach to the commission appointment.

“We look forward to working with Mr. Burack in the future as DES commissioner,” said spokesman Mark Dell’Orfano.

Burack said he looks forward to the challenges associated with his new position, and he cares deeply about New Hampshire and its future.

“As commissioner, I want to bring people together to find ways to ensure that we in New Hampshire continue to enjoy both a clean and healthy environment, and a vibrant and growing economy,” he said.

Experience

Before becoming a partner at Sheehan, Phinney, Bass and Green law firm, where he specializes in environmental, real estate and corporate law, Burack served from 1982-84 as legislative assistant for environmental matters for U.S. Sen. Gordon Humphrey and as a law clerk for then-Associate New Hampshire Supreme Court Justice David Souter from 1988-89.

Burack graduated from Dartmouth College in 1982 and received his law degree from the University of Virginia in 1998.

From 1992-96, he served as vice chairman of the New Hampshire Superfund Task Force and as a member of the New Hampshire Recycling Markets Development Steering Committee.

Burack also served as chairman of the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire’s WasteCap Program Steering Committee since 1990 and as chairman of the New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Authority.

Other positions include former president and chairman on the Truman Scholars Association board of trustees, former chairman of the New Hampshire Bar Association’s section on environmental and natural resources law, and former legal counsel to the New Hampshire Republican State Committee.

In 2001, Burack was named one of 10 state leaders on environmental matters by Business NH Magazine.

He is a member of board of advisors for the George C. Marshall Foundation and, as a former member of the board of trustees for the Audubon Society of New Hampshire, he is an honorary trustee.