Major Structural Changes At The Tennessee Department Of Environment And Conservation

The recent shakeup at the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has focused an unusual amount of media attention on the inner workings of the department. Environmental advocates are lambasting the Haslam administration for budget and personnel cuts at the department—including the controversial release of two highly respected top officials—which they believe will lead to decreased environmental oversight from an already resource-strapped department. Many members of the regulated community, however, question whether the changes go far enough to provide the predictable and fair environmental regulatory climate necessary for business operations. The truth likely lies somewhere in the middle.