DEP head aims to streamline efforts
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HARRISBURG -- The state's top environmental official says his agency has been operating too much like the Steelers on a sloppy game day and that the readjustments he announced Tuesday are aimed at smoothing out its oversight operations.
Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael Krancer reverted to sports analogies throughout his briefing Tuesday to illustrate his rationale for the department's reorganization.
He outlined a handful of structural changes, which he said will allow regulators to be more consistent, coordinated and efficient in managing natural gas drilling and other activities under their purview.
"You don't go see a Steelers game to see 11 guys running around doing their own thing. You go to see the Steelers team working together to win," said the southeastern Pennsylvania native, comparing the need for communication on the field and among his staff.
One of the changes under way at DEP will bring the oil-and-gas portion of that team into closer contact with Mr. Krancer. The oil and gas bureau, which oversees the booming Marcellus Shale drilling activity, will now report directly to a deputy secretary in Harrisburg, rather than being managed on a more regional basis.
Mr. Krancer has said repeatedly since the Corbett administration took office in January that he wants to make drilling regulation more consistent across the state. He said Tuesday that renewed push will still take into account Pennsylvania's significant regional differences, again using a football comparison.
"You have Troy Polamalu in the defensive backfield with his athleticism, his unbelievable athleticism," Mr. Krancer said. "You have these big lumbering defensive linemen that are creating opportunities for Troy to pick off passes.
"So it is a way of a team being able to not only not forget the individual differences and talents of regions or programs, it's a way to maximize those differences all coming together to deliver a win."
First Published September 21, 2011 12:00 am
