When it comes to protecting the environment in Pennsylvania, Democrats have been just as shitty as Republicans on this issue and today the caucus proves once again why they are unfit to serve the people of the Commonwealth. The latest act of buffoonery came today when the Senate Energy and Environmental Resources Committee approved a climate denier to head the Department of Environmental Protection, which has been an oxymoron for the past 3 years.
State Impact NPR wrote:
Chris Abruzzo, who has been Acting DEP secretary since April, was speaking before the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee this morning about his nomination and was asked about his views on the topic.
I wonder what his response was?
“I’ve not read any scientific studies that would lead me to conclude there are adverse impacts to human beings, animals, or plant life at this small level of climate change,” Abruzzo said.
Right? I mean it’s not like there’s a wealth of information out there? It’s not like 98 percent of the scientific community is in unison on this topic?
Well, at least there was one dissenting Democrat on the Senate ERE committee who had something to say on this issue. Sadly, that Democrat was Daylin Leach, who will be leaving the Senate for hopes of taking Allyson Schwartz’s House seat. Leach stated:
“This is a reflection of what I view to be a lack of seriousness with which the governor treats environmental issues,” said Leach. “It’s just not a serious nomination.”
With his comment, I am sure Leach was also talking about the lack of credentials Abruzzo has for the position. I mean Abruzzo has some background in environmental issues? Wrong…
Abruzzo’s professional background has not been focused on environmental issues. He has worked under Corbett for many years, as deputy chief of staff in the Governor’s office and before that, in the drug enforcement section of the Attorney General’s office. He’s spent most of his career as a prosecutor– dealing with criminal cases, including drug trafficking and Medicaid fraud.
Speaking at an event last month hosted by Blank Rome– the law firm of former DEP Secretary Mike Krancer– Abruzzo said he did not expect to be leading the environmental agency for more than a few months.
Awesome. So not only is Abruzzo not worthy for the position because he has never held a job in the environmental field, he got a job he wasn’t even expecting to have for more than a few months. So let’s give a roaring round of applause to Andy Dinniman, Jim Ferlo and John Yudichak for their votes on someone who is not fit for the job and doesn’t believe in what the scientific community has to say on climate change!
