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Monday, January 10, 2011
Environment - More on "New Ohio Gov. Kasich names heads of Ohio EPA"
Updating these two ILB entries from the end of December, Spencer Hunt of the Columbus Ohio Dispatch reports today in a long story that begins:
When John Kasich introduced the new director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency last month, air-, ground- and water-pollution concerns were barely mentioned.Kasich, then governor-elect, said Scott Nally's main goal is to cut bureaucratic delays at the Ohio EPA that hold up pollution permits businesses must obtain before they can begin operating.
The delays, the governor said, create a backlog and stall job creation.
"Guys around the state, you mention the EPA to them and they have palpitations," Kasich said. "Delays and paperwork and bureaucracy is going to come to an end."
Kasich boasted that Nally, an assistant commissioner in Indiana's Department of Environmental Management, cut an 800-permit backlog in Indiana down to five. He said Ohio also has a backlog of 800 permits at any given time, and Nally will cut it to four.
Nally responded to a request for an interview by e-mail. "The permit issue (in Ohio) you mention will be accomplished by establishing tracking and accountability, both internal and external," he wrote.
Indiana environmental advocates said not a lot is known about Nally.
"He was more of a behind-the-scenes, administrative-type person at the agency, rather than a point person on policy," said Tim Maloney, senior policy director for the Hoosier Environmental Council.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on January 10, 2011 11:00 AM
Posted to Environment