Senate Environmental Committee Unanimously Reports Out Quigley As DCNR Secretary

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee this week unanimously reported the nomination of John Quigley to be Secretary for Conservation and Natural Resources to the full Senate for consideration.

Acting Secretary Quigley took questions from a variety of Committee members, including Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) over his criticism of the budget passed by Senate Republicans and its impact on his agency, in particular State Park operations.

In previous press statements, Acting Secretary Quigley said the Republican budget would force the closure of 35 State Parks. Sen. Scarnati said Gov. Rendell also cut the DCNR budget significantly without the need to close State Parks, but it was only the Republican cuts, which were deeper, that caused closures.

Several Committee members also asked about leasing more State Forest land for timber and natural gas sales, to which Acting Secretary Quigley replied the timber market has essentially collapsed putting a large hole in the budget of the Bureau of Forestry. Two-thirds of the Bureau's budget came from timber sales. He did say the agency was looking into additional leasing options for natural gas, but cautioned again the natural gas market is not what it was when DCNR did its first lease.

Watch an online video of the full hearing at the Committee's website. A copy of Acting Secretary Quigley's written statement is also available.

Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango) serves as Majority Chair of the Committee and Sen. Ray Musto (D-Luzerne) serves as Minority Chair.