Environmental Law

Meet the Regulators ? Peggy Hatch

By Walter James

On December 21, 2009, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal announced that Peggy Hatch will be the secretary of the state Department of Environmental Quality.  Ms. Hatch replaces Dr. Harold Leggett who will resign effective January 15, 2010.  From a newspaper article in Baton Rouge, she seeks cooperation and compliance first and if that does not work, she will ?whack you upside the head with a stick.?      

Ms. Hatch has been a staff member of the LDEQ since 1990.  Prior to her appointment as secretary of the LDEQ, Ms. Hatch served as the assistant secretary for the Office of Environmental Compliance and oversaw surveillance, emergency response, radiological services and enforcement activities.  She was appointed to that position in 2008.  Ms. Hatch has worked for the state of Louisiana since 1985. 

Prior to joining the LDEQ, Ms. Hatch was employed in several hospital laboratories.  She has a bachelor's of science in medical technology from Louisiana State University.

On a personal note, I have had several dealings with Ms. Hatch and she is a person of high personal integrity.  She may be a tough regulator, but she is fair and will give you an opportunity for a fair and objective hearing. 

Good luck and good success Ms. Hatch!!

More later.

As always, feel free to contact me via e-mail at walter.james@jamespllc.com.

Full post as published by Environmental Crimes Blog on December 22, 2009 (boomark / email).