Former Scrap Metal Dealer Ousted from DCNR Post He Should Never Have Had

Richard Allan has resigned his post as Secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources at the instruction of Governor Tom Corbett. Allan, a former scrap metal dealer with no experience in public land management who contributed $2,650 to Corbett’s gubernatorial campaign, was ousted for reasons that have yet to be disclosed, opening the door to speculation.

Protecting Our Waters’ Iris Marie Bloom posited two theories, both starting with the premise that Corbett is a paranoid industry tool. I like her theories, but is there another possible explanation? Sure, Corbett’s an industry tool, no question. But is he paranoid or is he nervous about his run for a second term?

In April, Michael “I’m here to get gas done” Krancer suddenly left the DEP to “spend more time with his family”. As DEP chief, he had made a number of public statements that called into question not his ability to run an environmental agency, but his ability to hold any position that required him to interact with people. Remember when Delaware decided to opposed the regulations that would have lifted the moratorium on drilling in the Delaware River Basin? Krancer had this to say about Delaware, “Sometimes they smell like the tail of a dog. And it (the state) is shaped like a dog with a tail. This is the tail wagging the dog.” Krancer’s inappropriate behavior was becoming more and more of a liability for Corbett.

Now, Richard Allan’s forced resignation comes just days after a public hearing about drilling the Loyalsock State Forest, an idea that even some supporters of fracking find unacceptable. When 500 people from the across the state show up at a public hearing on a Monday afternoon, you know two things: 1) they’re seriously unhappy and 2) their sentiments are shared by many, many Pennsylvanians. When that happens and you’re running for a second term as governor and the guy in the room representing you appears to be unmoved by the voters’ heartfelt comments and genuine concerns, you’ve got a new liability on your hands.

That these two appointees failed so miserably at their jobs by putting the gas industry’s interests over those of the people they serve should have gotten them both booted long ago… had their boss not been someone so guilty of doing the same. His concern with their performance had everything to do with the fact that he knows he’s unpopular in the ever-expanding anti-fracking constituency and is trying to distance himself or just trying to make his appointees the fall guys.

Presuming that I am correct, then let me remind you that it was Corbett who appointed these people and had no apparent issues with them until now. I might also remind you that Corbett recently assigned another unqualified friend, this time, to head up the DEP as Acting Secretary on a part-time basis. Corbett was the one who proposed removing local control over gas drilling operations in Act 13 and, as Attorney General, said famously that “there is no inalienable right to local self-government.” Corbett is the one who appealed the Commonwealth Court’s ruling on local control, finding plenty of cash in the state coffers for a protracted lawsuit. Corbett is the one who told the State System of Higher Education to consider drilling on state university campuses and then saw to it that a law was passed allowing it. Corbett is the one who wants PA to become the Texas of natural gas.

Don’t be duped into thinking that he suddenly grew a conscience or developed some understanding of the consequences of his actions. And please don’t be fooled when he points the finger at his fall guys.