HARRISBURG, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (PennFuture) today congratulated Judge Michael Krancer of the Environmental Hearing Board on his nomination as Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) by Governor-elect Tom Corbett, and urged Krancer to be the “cop on the beat” that Corbett promised in enforcing environmental regulations. PennFuture also congratulated long-time DEP employee John Hines, currently Deputy Secretary for Water Management, who is going to be second in command as the Executive Deputy Secretary.
“Judge Krancer brings an unparalleled knowledge of environment laws and regulations, and can be the ‘cop on the beat’ that Pennsylvania citizens need, and Tom Corbett promised, in the job of environmental protection and enforcement,” said Jan Jarrett, PennFuture’s president and CEO. “We’re looking forward to working with him as Secretary.
“We are very pleased that John Hines, a long-time DEP employee, will be serving as in the number two position at the agency,” continued Jarrett. “Hines led the way for cleaner water through Pennsylvania’s participation in cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay and the streams that lead to it. And without John Hines, we would not have the new strong rules requiring drillers to clean up their wastewater to drinking water standards if they want to return their water to our rivers and streams. Hines has already made a big difference for all Pennsylvanians, and we know we can expect more good work from him in the future.
“The new Energy Executive position is intriguing,” continued Jarrett. “Done the right way, this office can build on our track record of creating great green jobs throughout the Commonwealth, by helping grow the 21st century energy industry. We have already created thousands of green jobs, thanks to our Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard. But with an increase, we could create a minimum of 129,000 job-years and save consumers billions in energy costs. We can also reduce pollution and heat trapping gases through responsible gas drilling and use, replacing coal and petroleum fuels. And we could make Pennsylvania a leader in the use of electric and natural gas powered vehicles. We are certain that, together, Pennsylvania can build a new energy economy with great jobs and new businesses, all the while protecting our environment and communities.”
PennFuture is a statewide public interest membership organization that advances policies to protect and improve the state’s environment and economy. PennFuture has experts and attorneys, outreach workers and communicators, lobbyists and educators, all working with local groups and citizens across the state to adopt and enforce great public policy. Our motto is “Every environmental victory grows the economy.” The Philadelphia Inquirer called PennFuture the state’s “leading environmental advocacy organization.”