The Department of Environmental Protection has named Schuylkill County native Nathan Houtz, P.G. the Acting Deputy Secretary for Active And Abandoned Mine Operations.

He follows the retiring John Stefanko, a 38-year veteran of the agency who held numerous positions before serving as Deputy Secretary for the last 13 years.

Houtz joined DEP in 2002 in the Pottsville District Mining Office.  He later transferred to the Moshannon District Mining Office where he served as the District Mining Manager.

He was later named Director of the Bureau of Mining Operations.

Houtz began his professional career as a construction project inspector with Astrotech, Inc. and moved to positions with Hydro-Gen Services, Inc. as a hydrogeologist involved in coal and industrial minerals permitting before coming to DEP.

Houtz holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology from Bloomsburg University and is a licensed Professional Geologist.

Sharon Hill, P.G. also a Pottsville native, was named Acting Director for the Bureau of Mining Programs.

She is a licensed Professional Geologist and has been with DEP since 1993.

Visit DEP’s Active & Abandoned Mine Operations webpage for more information on these programs.

For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website, Report Emergencies, Submit Environmental Complaints; Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter; sign up for DEP’s eNotice; visit DEP’s Blog,  Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.

(Courtesy Pennsylvania Anthracite Council, Anthracite Report, August.)

[Posted: August 2, 2024]

8/5/2024