Corbett hires climate denier: What does this mean with two key environmental positions still open?

With campaign season approaching, the Corbett administration is going through a staff shake-up. The Governor has appointed a new chief of staff, a new communications director and plans to name a press secretary.

Yet to be filled, two key environmental positions: head of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. To date, no one has been nominated to fill these posts on a permanent basis.

If the Corbett administration's recent hire is any indication, we're in trouble. 

Last week, Corbett hired prominent tea party activist, climate denier, and birther, Ana Puig, as the legislative liaison for the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue -- at an annual salary of $68,254. Puig founded, co-chaired and served as a registered lobbyist for a local group called the Kitchen Table Patriots.

Kitchen Table Patriots calls climate change "fraud science backed by the mercenary alarmists in the scientific community and the U.N."

Puig's Kitchen Table Patriots hosted an event in 2011 featuring prominent climate denier and Heartland Institute “expert” Steve Goreham. The Patriots' invitation read:

"Learn why the polar bears are not in serious danger. Learn how global warming policies will raise your taxes, boost your electricity bills, and increase the cost of doing business and living our daily lives." 

(On her group's Facebook page, Ms. Puig was listed as having attended the event.)

Ms. Puig certainly has an interesting resume. According to Keystone Politics and ThinkProgress:

"[Ms. Puig] defended Nazi memorabilia enthusiast in her organization as “a historian” and “an extremely smart person,” featured a blog promoting birther conspiracy theories and identifying the president as a member of the Muslim Brotherhood on her group’s website, and promoted events warning of the creeping threat of Sharia law in the United States."

Last month, State Impact's Marie Cusick detailed how the Corbett administration is ignoring a Pennsylvania law requiring the state to address climate change.

When Governor Corbett was asked point blank if he believes in man-made climate change, Governor Corbett's response was.. well, you decide.

"Well, what I believe is that we need to be able to provide jobs for the people of Pennsylvania,” he said, “Whether you view that as climate change, I don’t know."

With two crucial environmental posts to fill, we're hoping Ms. Puig's hiring isn't a harbinger of things to come.