Corbett Taps Acting Secretaries For DEP, DCNR

Governor Tom Corbett is nominating his acting secretaries to fill vacancies at the state’s top environmental regulation agencies.
Christopher Abruzzo has been serving the Department of Environmental Protection since April when then-secretary Michael Krancer left the department to take a job at an influential law firm, Blank Rome. Abruzzo previously served as Corbett’s deputy chief of staff.
In a press release on the nominations, Corbett praised Abruzzo’s work on environmental initiatives as a member of his staff, including “refocusing the agency on job number one: protecting the environment.
“The citizens of Pennsylvania will continue to benefit from his pragmatic, balanced approach to problem-solving.”

Corbett is also satisfied with the work of Ellen Ferretti, who was named acting secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in June. Former DCNR Secretary Richard Allan was forced out by the administration over “personal matters” after Allan was caught sending a racially charged e-mail to his wife, according to reports.
Allan was also criticized over controversial plans to expand drilling in the Loyalstock State Forest. Since his departure, Ferretti has met with environmental groups that are fighting the plan.
Before stepping in as acting secretary, Ferretti served on the DCNR as deputy secretary for parks and forestry.
“She understands the unique qualities of our state park and forest systems,” Corbett said in the press release.
The nominations will head to the state Senate.

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