Several groups commented on Gov.-Elect Wolf’s appointment of new Secretaries for DEP, DCNR and Agriculture, including: PA Environmental Council, Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA, PA Growing Greener Coalition, PA Chapter The Nature Conservancy, PA Land Trust Association, Environmental Defense Fund and PennFuture.  Here are their comments--

Pennsylvania Environmental Council President and CEO Davitt Woodwell commended the appointments of John Quigley as Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, and Cindy Dunn as Secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources by Gov.-Elect Tom Wolf.

“Both John and Cindy bring proven dedication and expertise to advance environmental protection and restoration in Pennsylvania,” said Woodwell. “There will be significant challenges ahead –including addressing climate change, water resource management, resource extraction, and program funding. Leadership of DEP and DCNR requires purpose and awareness; today’s appointments are strong steps in that direction.

“As in any administration, we at PEC look forward to working with both agencies as we further our shared mission to protect and restore Pennsylvania’s natural and built environments. While we will not always agree, we look forward to working with Cindy and John as members of Gov. Wolf’s cabinet.”

Chesapeake Bay Foundation Pennsylvania Executive Director Harry Campbell issued this statement following the announcement by Gov.-Elect Wolf of the nominations of John Quigley to head the Department of Environmental Protection, Cindy Dunn to head the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and Russell Redding to head the Department of Agriculture.

“These three individuals have a wealth of experience that will serve Pennsylvania’s citizens and its natural resources well.

“From his time as mayor through his work at DCNR, John Quigley knows how government works and has demonstrated the ability to get things done. He is well versed on the challenges facing our natural resources and water quality in Pennsylvania’s rivers and streams.

“DCNR is responsible for the health of our state forests and parks and balancing wise management with the ability of the public to enjoy them.  With years of experience as Deputy Secretary of Conservation and Technical Services at DCNR under both the Rendell and Corbett Administrations and at a variety of regional and statewide conservation organizations, Cindy Dunn has proven to be a tireless champion of the Commonwealth’s natural lands

“Russell Redding has spent 16 years at the Department of Agriculture, serving as Secretary from 2009-11. His contributions included an economic development program that used state funds to leverage private money to help the Commonwealth’s farming industry to expand and create jobs.

“This is a critical time for the restoration of Pennsylvania’s rivers and streams. The Commonwealth has made commitments that come due during the Wolf Administration in 2017, and we look forward to working with John Quigley, Cindy Dunn, and Russell Redding to achieve those goals.”

The PA Growing Greener Coalition -- the largest coalition of conservation, recreation, and preservation organizations in the Commonwealth -- Friday  applauded Gov.-Elect Tom Wolf’s choices for the leadership jobs in the state’s environmental, conservation, and agriculture agencies.

Gov.-Elect Wolf recently announced the appointments of Cindy Dunn to head the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Russell Redding to lead the Department of Agriculture, and John Quigley to head the Department of Environmental Protection.

“These are excellent selections,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition. “With decades of experience collectively, these three individuals will apply their experience and skills to the challenges facing the Commonwealth over the next four years. The Coalition looks forward to working with these state agency leaders in tackling the challenges head on.”

On January 20th, Tom Wolf will be inaugurated as the 47th governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Numerous celebratory events are scheduled throughout the day across Central Pennsylvania.

“This is a time to honor the service of Governor Tom Corbett and to respect the transition to new leadership under Gov.-Elect Wolf,” Heath said. “As we celebrate our democratic system and pass the baton from one leader to another, both leaders deserve to be respected and honored.

“The next four years will be critical to the future of the Commonwealth and the Coalition looks forward to working with the Wolf Administration on addressing the conservation, recreation, and preservation funding needs facing the state. There is much work to be done and the Coalition is prepared to get started on day one.”

The PA Chapter The Nature Conservancy issued this statement on the appointments: “Pennsylvania Gov.-Elect Tom Wolf recently named Cindy Dunn and John Quigley as his nominees for the Secretaries of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Department of Environmental Protection.

“These appointments, coupled with the Gov.-Elect's earlier selection of two prior DEP Secretaries--Katie McGinty and John Hanger--as Chief of Staff and Secretary of Planning and Policy, provide the incoming leadership team with extensive knowledge and experience in environmental policy and resource management. We are encouraged by these appointments and look forward to working with the new administration to "conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends."

Andrew Loza, Executive Director of the PA Land Trust Association, issued this statement Thursday on recent environmental appointments made by Gov.-Elect Tom Wolf—

“Gov.-Elect Tom Wolf selected for his chief of staff and secretary of planning and policy, two former DEP secretaries—two individuals who care deeply about the air we breathe, the water we drink and the land that we sleep, work and play on.

“Now, we learn that he will appoint John Quigley and Cindy Dunn as secretary of environmental protection and secretary of conservation and natural resources, respectively. Extraordinarily excellent choices.

“John Quigley in his tenure as secretary of conservation and natural resources at the tail end of the Rendell Administration was candid and outspoken in addressing the threats that natural gas operations present to our publicly owned state forests; during his past four years in the private sector, he has both carefully analyzed the impacts of natural gas development and dedicated substantial energy to identifying pathways to protect the integrity of the land, water and air that we share.

“Cindy Dunn, in her past capacities with PennFuture, the state and the Audubon Society, has consistently been a thoughtful and consistent advocate for the protection of our common resources and the public health.

“With these personnel decisions, the governor-elect is demonstrating, out of the gate, an outstanding commitment to the protection of our Commonwealth.

“When a family loses their drinking water because of mining or gas development, they have reason to be upset and angry. When a community’s air is degraded by industrial emissions, it has a right to demand protection under the law.

“It’s understandable that those most negatively impacted would ask the Governor, the General Assembly and the courts for justice. It’s right that they ask the public to support them in their time of need.

“It is understandably maddening to have such need and understandable to assertively seek redress. However, no matter where one stands regarding natural gas development and acceptable levels of community impacts, consider this: Governor-elect Tom Wolf is making good appointments.

“Even if you disagree with his positions on natural gas, take the time to acknowledge positive steps. Celebrate that he has chosen people with a demonstrated commitment to the protection of public health and natural resources. Show that, although you will make heavy demands of him in the coming months, you aren’t unreasonable—that you will acknowledge good steps when they are taken.

“And keep in mind the words of Otto von Bismarck, the renowned statesman and First Chancellor of Germany: “Politics is the art of the possible.” Whether a profound observation or a trite remark, the words hold true 148 year later.

“The governor-elect and his appointees have to work in the world of politics. They have to work in a Pennsylvania where the vast majority of the public supports natural gas development.

“They have to work with huge Republican majorities in the Pennsylvania House and Senate that stalwartly support the natural gas industry. They have to work within the boundaries of the law as policed by the courts, a body of law that is supportive of gas development.

“This is the reality for any appointee—no matter their experience and commitment. Fortunately, the governor-elect has started with individuals with substantial experience and commitment.”

The Environmental Defense Fund Wednesday applauded Pennsylvania Gov.-Elect Tom Wolf’s selections of Cindy Adams Dunn to head the state’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, John Quigley to head the Department of Environmental Protection, John Hanger to serve as director of policy and planning, and Katie McGinty as the governor’s chief of staff. 

Each of these appointees has an exceptional record of working on environmental issues in the public, private and non-profit sectors.

“This is a deep bench of all-star players, and it couldn’t come at a more important time,” said Matt Watson, National Director for State Programs, EDF Natural Gas Program. “Pennsylvania is facing huge challenges – especially when it comes to regulating the state’s growing natural gas industry and increasing the use of clean energy in the power sector. 

“With this team in place, we have every confidence the Wolf administration can assume a position of national leadership on protecting communities and the environment.”

PennFuture applauded the selection by Gov.-Elect Tom Wolf of Cindy Adams Dunn to lead the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Dunn, the current president and CEO of the statewide environmental advocacy organization, came to PennFuture from DCNR, where she was deputy secretary for conservation and technical services.

"Cindy is a tremendous talent, passionate about our natural resources in Pennsylvania and conserving them for this and future generations," said David Lane, chairman of the board of PennFuture. "She has been a huge asset to PennFuture, where her expertise on land, air and water issues helped move our policy and legal initiatives forward and led to key wins in 2014 on behalf of the environment. We look forward to collaborating with her in her new role since we know that DCNR will continue to be in the spotlight when it comes to vital issues including energy development on public lands and its role as steward of our parks and forests."

Search For New CEO Underway

Lane also announced the appointment of PennFuture vice president and COO John Norbeck as acting president and CEO. The search for a permanent chief executive is already underway.

For more information, visit the PennFuture website.

NewsClips:

Wolf Outlines His Goals, Policies In First Days In Office

Wolf Announces, DEP, DCNR, Administration Secretaries

Wolf Picks Former Rendell Appointees For Top Environmental Posts

Wolf Selects Environmental Protection, Parks Secretaries

Wolf Taps Quigley, Dunn, Minnich For Cabinet Spots

Wolf Defends Environmental Cabinet Picks

Wolf Chooses Leaders For Environment, Transportation, Admin Offices

Quigley: There’s A Real Opportunity To Get Marcellus Shale Right

Ferretti Won’t Continue As DCNR Secretary

Outgoing DCNR Secretary Talks About Her Experience

Wolf Picks Richards To Run Transportation, Schoch Will Stay

StateImpact Report: Wolf To Name Quigley At DEP, Dunn For DCNR

Anti-Fracking Protesters To Rally At Inauguration

Letter, Jan Jarrett: Anti-Fracking Protest Foolish

PEC On Disruption Of Inauguration Day By Fracktivists

1/16/2015