Reid Wilson Confirmed as Secretary of DEQ

Six months after Governor Josh Stein’s administration began, the North Carolina Senate finally confirmed Reid Wilson, his nominee for Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

Reid Wilson is now officially the Secretary of DEQ. Last Thursday (June 26), the N.C. Senate unanimously adopted S.R. 766, the confirmation resolution for Wilson. Clearly, the partisan leadership of the Senate did not rush to approve Gov. Stein’s top environmental leader, who was among his first cabinet members named last December. 

What This Means for Environmental Progress in NC

Environmental advocates anticipate good work from Secretary Wilson. He has extensive environmental leadership experience, including eight years at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concluding as chief of staff for Administrator Carol Browning. He also has experience in the private nonprofit sector as executive director of the Conservation Trust for North Carolina and as national political director of the Sierra Club.