Environmental groups are weighing in on the choice of Mount Pleasant anti-union attorney Catherine Templeton as the new commissioner of the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). Templeton has served in Governor Nikki Haley’s cabinet this past year as director of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.
Ann Timberlake, Executive Director of Conservation Voters of South Carolina, questions Templeton’s credentials to run an agency charged with protecting the health of the public and the environment of South Carolina.
The DHEC board chose Templeton over DHEC deputy commissioner Pam Dukes and Ingo Angermeier, a former chief executive of the Spartanburg Regional Medical Center.
Timberlake has some concerns that DHEC may be moving in a new direction under Governor Haley. She cites Haley’s support of the Savannah River dredging as evidence. The South Carolina House voted unanimously Wednesday to stop the impending dredging of 36 miles of the Savannah River. The measure suspends DHEC’S authority for all decisions after 2007 that apply to state’s part of the Savannah River. The issue may be decided in court.
Timberlake says she has some concerns that environmental controls could be relaxed for some industries in a state that already has problems with pollution. She wants state senators to ask more questions before approving Templeton for the job.
AUDIO: Timberlake concerned about the direction of DHEC
Governor Haley and the state Senate must approve Templeton’s appointment. She is expected to start February 1.
