The new governor, Pat McCroy, has begun to make appointments
to his new administration, which will begin when he takes office on January 5.
Of environmental interest is the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (DENR). McCroy has announced that John Skvarla of
Pinehurst, currently the CEO of Restoration Services. Skvarla has said,
according to a story in the News & Observer, that he is anxious to move
the needle back from what he sees as over-regulation toward what he promises
will be a middle ground that protects the environment without hindering
economic growth.
The McDowell News reported that NC House member Mitch
Gillespie of McDowell
County
According to the McDowell News, Lou Zeller, executive
director of the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League (BREDL), said that the
selection of Gillespie was "very bad news". “He seems to have an ax
to grind,” said Zeller. “His lead in gutting the state air toxics program
revealed his animus against regulations which protect public heath. He said
then that he had ‘not even scratched the surface.’ Putting him at DENR will
allow him to do what he could not get done in the General Assembly; that is,
further the extreme elevation of private property rights over public health.
Pat McCrory will take office on January 5. However, Gillespie is expected to be sworn in to his new term on January 9 and to resign shortly after that to take the DENR post.
