Apple Hires Former EPA Boss for Environmental Responsibility

Lisa Jackson, who previously managed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under President Obama, has a new job answering to CEO Tim Cook at Apple. Mr. Cook made the announcement during an interview at the AllThingsD D11 Conference Tuesday evening.

In response to a question about whether or not he feels like Apple is being targeted, Mr. Cook responded,

When you get larger, you get more attention. It comes with the territory. We're doing incredible work in the environment, for example. We've been focused on that for a long time; eliminated toxins from all of our products, running data centers on 100 percent renewable energy, largest solar farm of any non-utility. Lisa Jackson is joining Apple. She recently left the EPA and will be coordinating efforts across the company. She'll be reporting to me.

Lisa Jackson moves from the EPA to AppleMs. Jackson was behind government efforts to add new pollutants to the Clean Air Act and make stricter smog control laws, although she was met with strong political resistance. She eventually stepped down from her job in late 2012 and has been fairly low key ever since.

Mr. Cook also shared his thoughts on Google Glass, wearable technology, buying up companies, and opening up more of the iPhone to third-party developers during the D11 interview.

Apple has been proactively working to improve its environmental impact through efforts such as reducing the toxic chemicals used in iPhone, iPad and Mac productions, and moving its facilities to alternative power sources such as solar.

Mr. Cook added, "She'll fit right in."