The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Wednesday unanimously recommended Cindy Dunn be confirmed as Secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, but only after some questions about her role as CEO of PennFuture.
“It makes a lot of folks uncomfortable that there's so many in pretty high-profile positions, some that are approved by the Senate and confirmed, others that are not [from PennFuture]. But it leads to some uneasiness, I guess,” said Sen. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango), referring to Dunn, Acting DEP Secretary John Quigley and John Hanger, Secretary Of Policy in the Governor’s Office.
Sen. Yaw questioned Dunn about a report issued by PennFuture while she was there raising issues over surface and mineral rights in the Loyalsock State Forest. It recommended Gov. Wolf take steps to protect the Forest from drilling, including “exhaustion of all viable legal strategies.”
Sen. Yaw felt the recommendation was analogous to a SLAPP lawsuit designed to discourage certain activities. “Maybe you don’t like the rights, but they have them and we have to honor them”
Dunn, acknowledging the Loyalsock issue is fairly complex, any decision on legal action would be handled by the Governor’s Office of General Counsel. She noted she, personally, has not be able to delve into it.
Dunn defended PennFuture as a well-respected organization that is perhaps misunderstood at times.
Sen. Yaw then said he recognized, as CEO, she had an obligation to her organization and made the motion to support her nomination to the full Senate.
Click Here for a copy of Acting Secretary Dunn’s confirmation remarks.
Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) serves as Majority Chair of the Committee and Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) serves as Minority Chair.
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