To engage with the public, Ben Grumbles, Secretary of the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), and John Quigley, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), both have taken advantage of online media resources to reflect on the accomplishments made in each state toward protecting human health and the environment.
Earlier this week, Grumbles highlighted ten of MDE’s major accomplishments – including new smog control regulations and water quality improvements in the Chesapeake Bay – in his latest edition of “Ben’s Blog”, available on the Department’s website. In his blog, Grumbles gives citizens insight on what citizens can expect in the year to come and encourages citizens to reach out to MDE to give feedback and receive more information.
Secretary Quigley also used the web in releasing a video on You Tube in which he discusses the major strides Pennsylvania DEP has taken to protect the state’s air, land, water, and public health. Separately, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolfe issued a statement highlighting DEP’s accomplishments for 2015. Among them: updated performance standards for surface activities at conventional and unconventional oil and gas well sites, monthly online production reporting for unconventional natural gas wells, and launch of the eComment tool to enhance public participation in and transparency of the regulatory process. [Dunn/Davies]
