Bloomberg appoints next environmental policy director

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has appointed a Portland, Ore., official as his next head of environmental policy.

David Bragdon was president of Portland's Metro Council. That elected body oversees regional planning, solid waste management, protection of natural areas and other functions.

Bloomberg's previous director of sustainability, Rohit Aggarwala, left in June. Aggarwala helped shape an environmental policy that won Bloomberg national attention.

That policy includes goals such as getting more yellow cabs to go hybrid and creating more parks and open space for New Yorkers.

Bragdon starts in September. - AP