Gov. Rick Snyder has appointed Heidi Grether of Williamston to lead Michigan's Department of Environmental Quality. She success interim director Keith Creagh, who will continue to his prior position as director of the Department of Natural Resources.
Grether currently serves as the Deputy Director at the Michigan Agency for Energy. Before her time at the MAE, Grether worked for BP America. She has also worked at positions in the Michigan Legislature.
Grether holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Public Administration and a Master of Science in Natural Resource Economics and Policy, both from Michigan State University. Gov. Snyder says Grether is active in several environmental organizations including the Michigan Nature Association, the Nature Conservancy and the American Bird Conservancy.
Progress Michigan released a statement responding to Grether’s appointment, saying “Tapping a former executive of the fossil fuel industry, which has been the chief engine of climate change denial and the degradation of air and water quality in our country and around the world, is not what Michigan needs at the head of the MDEQ.”
State Senator Jim Ananich also released a statement on Grether’s appointment: ““Ms. Grether faces a steep climb in restoring trust that the MDEQ will have a culture of putting the public’s health first. If she’s willing to take that on, I have a number of suggestions for what needs to change. Regardless, more public oversight and involvement is a must.”
