Acting DEP Secretary McDonnell’s Opening Statement Before The Senate Environmental Committee

Here is the opening statement Acting DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell made before the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Tuesday at the hearing on his confirmation--

Chairman Yaw, Chairman Yudichak and members of the Committee, I greatly appreciated the opportunity to appear before you today.

I am both humbled and honored to be appointed by Gov. Tom Wolf to be Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

Over my almost 20 years in state government, I’ve had the chance to see almost every aspect of our agency.  From our policy making and regulatory functions to our budget and human resources apparatus.

Through it all I prided myself on being open to collaboration, being honest about problems and listen to all perspectives to help my colleagues make meaningful decisions.

It is no secret the Department faces challenges.  Over the past year we’ve continued to address those issues.  

We are modernizing and improving our permitting processes, collaboratively addressing the Commonwealth’s Chesapeake Bay obligations, and we’ve created an e-permitting platform and e-inspection app to improve our partnerships with the regulated community and increase our transparency.

We’ve refocused on engaging with stakeholders to identify problems and solutions and we’ve begun investing in the most critical asset we have in the Department, our people.

To lead the Department is an absolute privilege and one I take very seriously.

The employes of DEP are passionate about their work and it is that passion that has allowed us to maintain our services over the last decade of budget cuts.

It is my job to provide them with tools and training to ensure we are meeting the core mission of the Department efficiently and effectively.

I truly believe we can deliver fantastic service to the regulated community, while protecting public health and the environment.

I must also take a moment to thank my wife Colleen, who’s here with me today, as well as my four children for their support and understanding as I’ve taken on this new role.

You-all have a better sense of what a life in public service means and the impact it can have on family and I could not ask for a better partner or cheerleader in the endeavor than Colleen.

Finally, I want to thank you-all for your work with both staff and me personally over the past year.  Your support is appreciated more than I can say.  

My hope is that we can continue to work together in partnership to address our shared challenges.

With that, I welcome any questions you may have.

Click Here to watch a video of the hearing.

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