Gov. Corbett Asks For, Receives, Resignation Of DCNR Secretary Richard Allan

Gov. Tom Corbett Thursday asked for and received the resignation of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Richard J. Allan.
           Corbett spokesman Kevin Harley told WITF’s Mary Wilson the resignation is unrelated to the Loyalsock State Forest gas drilling controversy.
           “It’s a personnel matter so I can’t discuss it,” he said. “It has nothing to do with any differences of public policy.”
           Allan, 59, of Cumberland County, has served as a member of the cabinet since March 2011.
           Ellen Ferretti, Deputy Secretary for Parks and Forestry, will serve as Acting Secretary effective immediately.
Since mid-April the Department of Environmental Protection has also had an Acting Secretary Chris Abruzzo. No permanent replacement has been nominated yet by the Governor.
With the General Assembly set to adjourn for the summer on July 1 after they act on the state budget, no permanent replacements can be put in place for either agency until late fall.