The governor didn't need to look far in nominating someone to serve as secretary of the state's Department of Environmental Protection.
In an announcement today, Gov. Tom Wolf nominated acting secretary Patrick McDonnell to fill the DEP’s top job permanently. The nomination must receive Senate approval.
Mr. McDonnell has worked with the state DEP in a number of roles. Prior to his interim role as secretary, Mr. McDonnell was the DEP's director of policy, where he oversaw regulation and policy development. Before that role, he ran the state energy office, where the focus was renewable energy and energy efficiency.
“In his acting capacity and throughout his career, Patrick has been a dedicated steward of the environment and a leader in advancing Pennsylvania’s energy development in a responsible way,” Mr. Wolf said in a release. “I trust Patrick to lead the Department of Environmental Protection in a way that protects our commonwealth’s land, water and air and ensures the department continues to make progress in the areas of innovation, responsible development and working with legislators, industry and advocates in a collaborative and productive way.”
Mr. McDonnell has a master's degree in political science from Lehigh University and a bachelor's degree in politics from DeSales University in Lehigh County.
First Published: September 21, 2016, 4:03 p.m.