AUGUSTA – Pattie Aho, the governor’s choice for commissioner of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, won unanimous approval by a legislative panel today.

Aho, a former State House lobbyist, has served at DEP since Gov. Paul LePage’s administration took over at the beginning of the year. She was nominated by LePage after her predecessor, Darryl Brown, was forced to step down over a possible violation of a conflict-of-interest law.

The panel voted 10-0 to approve Aho, after she received praise from both business and environmental groups.

The Senate is scheduled to vote to confirm her appointment during a special legislative session tomorrow.