Governor Rick Snyder has taken hits for naming an oil company lobbyist to run the state’s environmental protection department. But the governor says critics will be pleasantly surprised by Heidi Grether.
Environmentalists have complained that Grether spent most of her career as an oil company lobbyist. Snyder says Grether deserves the chance to prove herself.
“I can understand people having concerns, but, again, get to know her, give her an opportunity, and I think you’re going to see good results,” he said.
Snyder says he was impressed by Grether’s background as a Republican staffer in the Legislature working on environmental policy.
But Grether also worked as a lobbyist for BP following the Gulf oil spill. Her resume says she successfully warded off new state regulations following the disaster.
Grether will hold her first media roundtable Friday. She declined requests to be interviewed following the announcement of her appointment by Snyder in mid-July.
