Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam Friday announced Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau will return to work in the private sector in May.
Under Commissioner Martineau’s leadership, for the first time in more than two decades, the entire state of Tennessee is in compliance with federal air quality standards for particle pollution and ozone. Additionally, 41,000 acres have been added to state lands, including three new state parks, and $170 million has been invested to modernizing state park facilities. TDEC has facilitated the cleanup of more than 100 contaminated properties, resulting in renewed productive use and approximately 18,000 jobs at those locations. TDEC now has the lowest backlog of clean-ups of old contaminated underground storage tank sites in the Southeast.
“Because Bob and his team have focused on protecting and preserving our environment, Tennesseans will have a better quality of life,” Governor Haslam said. “We are very fortunate to have had him lead TDEC for the last seven years and I wish him well on his venture.”
During this administration, Commissioner Martineau focused on increasing the use of technology for online reservations in parks, digitization of records to facilitate public access, and more online ways to file permits applications and pay fees.
“I want to thank Governor Haslam for this opportunity to serve. It has truly been the highest honor of my professional life,” Commissioner Martineau said. “I have been blessed to work with a team of wonderful, highly capable professionals across the department who are passionate about making Tennessee a better place to live work and raise a family.”
Commissioner Martineau recently served as president of the Environmental Council of the States. He will serve the state until the last week of April. His successor will be announced next week.