‘No one more qualified.’ McMaster picks career government official for top environment job
A career government official who for three decades worked at the state’s expansive environmental and health agency is Gov. Henry McMaster’s pick to run the new S.C. Department of Environmental Services.
McMaster’s choice of Myra Reece, a former deputy director at the now defunct Department of Health and Environmental Control, elevates her from an interim director position she had held since the new environmental services agency was formed July 1 as part of a government restructuring law. DHEC was disbanded July 1.
A North Augusta resident originally from Edgefield, Reece, 66, said she’s pleased McMaster chose her to be part of his cabinet.
“I thank Gov. McMaster for his nomination and support in protecting and preserving South Carolina’s critical air, land, water and coastal resources, and I look forward to continued engagement with the General Assembly through the confirmation process.,’’ according to a news release quoting Reece.
As DES director, Reece will be in charge of a range of environmental programs, including divisions that monitor the air and water for pollution and beaches for erosion. Her agency also issues permits for industries and others seeking to discharge pollution or develop along the coast. And it enforces state environmental laws, issuing fines against those who don’t obey rules intended to protect South Carolina’s air, land and water.
Reece’s appointment must be confirmed by the state Senate.
Reece, who is making $179,925 as interim DES director, is well known to environmental groups, businesses and state legislators. Many praise Reece for her professionalism and willingness to work with various interests that have competing agendas. That’s an important skill in dealing with the conservative state Legislature, which controls her agency’s budget and often has dim views toward regulation.
But while she served as DHEC’s top environmental official, the agency was criticized over issues that some public interest groups say need tighter regulation, such as limits on toxic forever chemicals in sewer sludge and in drinking water. DHEC also caught heat in later years over the pace in which it considered changes to state surface water rules and its oversight of pollution from huge chicken farms.
It’s still early to say how the DES will perform as a new agency under Reece, particularly as the federal government seeks to cut regulations under incoming President Donald Trump. That could put more pressure on states to maintain or add environmental protection rules that would not be in place at the federal level.
In picking Reece to head the new environmental services department, McMaster has shied away from any wholesale changes in how South Carolina protects the environment. Much of DHEC’s former staff were transferred to the new Department of Environmental Services and many top officials at DES are the same.
McMaster, a Trump supporter who is also viewed as a moderate on environmental issues, expressed confidence in Reece, saying Thursday that she was the obvious choice to run the new department as part of his cabinet. McMaster and Reece recently announced formation of a commission that will examine water withdrawal issues. That group includes business, farm and environmental representatives.
““Through her extensive leadership experience at DHEC and now as interim Director of SCDES, there is no one more qualified or better positioned to lead this new agency forward,” the governor said in a news release.
The governor’s office did not say if anyone else was considered for the job. Reece, who is married and has two sons and a granddaughter, held leadership positions at DHEC for parts of 30 years, including running the agency’s environment division and its air division.
The choice of Reece as director of the DES follows McMaster’s recent announcement that he was elevating DHEC’s former top official, Edward Simmer, to run the new state Department of Public Health.
During a news conference last summer, Reece said it was a new day for environmental protection in South Carolina. With one agency focused only on environmental protection — DHEC had both health and environmental functions — the state can expect better service and oversight, she said. DHEC had been criticized as lethargic and slow to respond to issues.
“Being established as a separate environmental agency allows us to focus 100% of our attention and expertise on finding solutions that work for South Carolina,’’ Reece said in July.
This story was originally published November 20, 2024 at 12:32 PM.
