Lupo Gives Environmental Voice to Wolf Transition

Sister Pat Lupo, OSB

The addition of Sister Pat Lupo, OSB, to the transition team of Gov.-elect Tom Wolf should allay some concerns about the incoming administration's stance on environmental issues.

Lupo is a long-time environmental activist and the educational director for Earth Action at Environment Erie. She joins the environmental protection committee, which will look at current and prospective policy related to the environment.

Lupo's voice will be one of a diverse chorus of environmental players, including those on the opposite end of the environmental spectrum from Lupo like the Executive Director of the PA Coal Alliance, George Ellis, and the Community Outreach Manager for the Marcellus Shale Coalition, Shari Williams.

Lupo is an advocate of alternative energy solutions and she's been critical of the Corbett administration's commitment to fossil fuels.

While it appears the Wolf Administration will also commit to fossil fuels, it is also committed to exploring alternative fuel sources as well as regulation and taxation of the fossil fuel industries.

Voices like Lupo's should be an influential part of the latter half of that equation.      

Jim Wertz can be reached at jWertz@ErieReader.com or follow him on Twitter @jim_wertz.