On January 10, Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro announced he will nominate Rich Negrin to be Secretary of DEP and retain Cindy Dunn as DCNR Secretary and Russell Redding as Agriculture Secretary.

“Our Commonwealth needs leaders who can manage these agencies’ critical work — from protecting Pennsylvania’s beautiful state parks, forests, and trails, to carrying out a bold, comprehensive climate and energy plan that will grow our economy, protect and create jobs, and safeguard Pennsylvanians’ constitutional right to clean air and pure water,” Shapiro said in a statement.

“I have complete confidence in these leaders and their abilities to bring people, advocacy organizations, local governments, family farms, and businesses together to create solutions that will protect our Commonwealth’s future and natural resources while embracing our role as national leaders in energy, conservation, and agriculture.”

Rich Negrin

Negrin has served as a prosecutor in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, as Managing Director and Deputy Mayor for the City of Philadelphia, Vice President and General Counsel for Aramark Healthcare, as a corporate litigation attorney in the law firm of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP and most recently as Vice President of Regulatory Policy and Strategy for the Commonwealth Edison Company in Illinois.

In a news release, Shapiro’s transition team said Negrin “led efforts to increase the use of renewable energy, spur the adoption of electric vehicles, and increase energy efficiency” during his time at Commonwealth Edison.

Negrin is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law. He received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Wagner College, where he was a consensus football all-American and served as captain of the 1987 National Championship football team.

After college, Mr. Negrin played briefly in the National Football League for the Cleveland Browns and the New York Jets.

Al Dia quoted Negrin as saying about his nomination, “I am humbled that Governor-Elect Shapiro has entrusted me with the great responsibility of leading this Administration’s efforts to protect our Commonwealth’s air, land, and water.

“As Secretary of Environmental Protection, I will work diligently to bring people together and ensure the Department works efficiently and we effectively serve all Pennsylvanians in pursuit of a safer, healthier future.”

Cindy Dunn

Cindy Dunn has served in the position of Secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources since the beginning of the Wolf Administration in 2015.  Click Here for her bio.

Russell Redding

Russel Redding has served in the position of Secretary of the Department of Agriculture since the beginning of the Wolf Administration in 2015.  Click Here for his bio.

Reactions

Davitt Woodwell, President of the PA Environmental Council, offered the following statement in support of the nominations--

“Secretary Dunn’s leadership at DCNR over the past eight years has been a tremendous asset to our Commonwealth. Cindy recognizes the critical value of public lands and recre-ation in our economy and day-to-day quality of life.

“The COVID pandemic underscored how our 2.5 million acres of state parks and forests, and our thousands of miles of trails, are a treasure for Pennsylvanians.

“We look forward to working with Secretary Dunn and DCNR to expand Pennsylvania’s recreational economy, whose $14 billion annual impact is so important to businesses and communities in every corner of the Commonwealth, and to create new connections for residents and visitors alike to our irreplaceable natural re-sources.

“Richard Negrin’s broad personal and professional experience demonstrates an ability to not only lead but – equally importantly – help reinvigorate DEP.

“Tasked with the vital mission of protecting Pennsylvania on a daunting array of responsibilities, DEP, with sufficient support and direction, can help lead Pennsylvania toward the economy of the future and a truly restorative environment.

“This is the moment to view investment in our re-sources agencies as equal investment in our communities, businesses, and the people of Pennsylvania.

“We commend Governor-elect Shapiro for these nominations, and look forward to working with his Administration on advancing Pennsylvania’s leadership on environmental, conservation, and recreation initiatives.”

Trisha Salvia, Interim Director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in Pennsylvania, said this about the nominations--

“CBF is thrilled that Russell Redding and Cindy Adams Dunn have been nominated to continue to lead the Departments of Agriculture, and Conservation and Natural Resources. We also welcome the opportunity to work with Mr. Negrin in the capacity of Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection.

“Throughout her career Cindy Dunn has been a clean water champion and as Secretary worked tirelessly so that Pennsylvanians can get the most enjoyment from the 2.2 million acres of state forest land and 124 state parks that DCNR oversees.

“Under Secretary Dunn’s leadership, DCNR has made planting streamside buffers a priority practice and has been working with the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership to improve the quality of local rivers and streams.

“As the consummate public servant, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding has been a steady, guiding force at the helm of one of Pennsylvania’s most important industries.

“This would be the third administration for Russ Redding to serve as Secretary of Agriculture, and he has been a stalwart leader and advocate for farmers across the Commonwealth since day one.

“As Pennsylvania’s farmers continue to face economic, social and environmental challenges, we at CBF believe that with Russ Redding’s leadership, the future of agriculture in the Commonwealth is in more than capable hands.

“Mr. Negrin most recently served as the vice president of Regulatory Policy and Strategy and head of external affairs at Commonwealth Edison.

“We wish Mr. Negrin the best of luck and pledge CBF’s continued commitment to working with the Department of Environmental Protection to reduce pollution and provide the clean air and rivers and streams that are the right of every Pennsylvanian.

“We look forward to working with the Departments of Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources, and Environmental Protection, so that we can leave a legacy of clean water for future generations.”

David Callahan, President Marcellus Shale Coalition, said this about the appointments--

“Our organization and members congratulate Governor-Elect Shapiro’s cabinet appointments as well as his incoming executive advisors and staff.

“Governor-Elect Shapiro has prioritized the importance of working together, and he can count on our industry to work collaboratively with him and his entire team toward commonsense policy solutions.

“American energy security and affordability - enabled by clean and abundant Pennsylvania natural gas -  represents an opportunity to safely advance shared economic and environmental progress for the entire Commonwealth as well as our most critical allies around the world.

“We look forward to supporting and working alongside Mr. Negrin, Ms. Dunn and the rest of the governor-elect’s leadership team.”

PennFuture President and CEO Patrick McDonnell issued this statement in reaction to the nominations--

“Gov.-elect Josh Shaprio’s decision to retain Secretaries Dunn and Redding reflect a dedication to continuing the Commonwealth’s significant progress conserving our natural resources, funding clean water initiatives, and supporting farmers in the transition to more sustainable management practices.

“Both are widely supported on both sides of the political aisle and have served the Commonwealth with integrity and innovative ideas.

“Equally as important, appointing Richard Negrin imbues executive leadership at a pivotal time for the DEP. His experience as Philadelphia’s chief operating officer, overseeing a $6 billion budget and 30,000 employees, demonstrates his undoubtable qualifications to support strengthening of the agency.

“Furthermore, Mr. Negrin’s municipal policy and clean energy expertise will be vital toward developing a sustainable climate future that is equitable and supports family-sustaining jobs.”

“At PennFuture, we look forward to collaborating closely with Governor-elect Josh Shapiro’s cabinet, including Secretaries Dunn and Redding and Mr. Negrin.

“We stand ready to work together to realize our vision of a more environmentally and economically sustainable Pennsylvania, with cleaner air, water and land all across the Commonwealth.”

NewsClips:

-- Al Dia: Shapiro Taps Rich Negrin As First Latino To Helm Top Environmental Office In PA

-- Inquirer: Fmr Top Philly Official Rich Negrin Is Shapiro’s Pick To Lead The PA Dept. Of Environmental Protection 

-- PennLive - Charles Thompson: Green Day: Shapiro Announces Picks To Head PA’s Top Environmental, Conservation, Farm Agencies

-- AP: Shapiro Names Picks For Ag, Parks And Environmental Agencies

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Shapiro Nominates Former Philadelphia Official As DEP Secretary

[Posted: January 10, 2023]

1/16/2023