Why Obama Nominated NRDC Cofounder John Bryson As Commerce Secretary

[Commentary] President Obama's nomination of businessman and Natural Resources Defense Council cofounder John Bryson as Commerce Secretary is a refreshing sign for those who want economic growth and environmental protection to go hand in hand.

In addition to his role at the NRDC, Bryson has a laundry list of impressive accomplishments--he is the former CEO of Edison International (the parent company of Southern California Edison, which is the largest utility in California), as well as a director of corporations including Boeing, Walt Disney, and electric vehicle startup Coda Automotive. Perhaps most interestingly, Bryson is also the chairman of the board of BrightSource Energy, which you may remember as the company building giant Google-funded solar farms in the desert. He knows the financial potential of clean-tech innovation. By nominating Bryson, President Obama is ensuring that the government's business dealings at least take the environment into consideration (both the NRDC and the Chamber of Commerce have offered statements of support). Perhaps President Obama realizes that our economic success as a country--and planet--depends on the wise use of our natural resources.