John Quigley

HARRISBURG — In an e-mail that precipitated his resignation, Gov. Tom Wolf’s environmental protection secretary criticized environmental advocates for a lack of “pushback” against certain bills and said they were “without influence.”

He also accused Democratic lawmakers of “apostasy” and Republicans of “shilling” for the natural gas industry amid policy battles over drilling and power plant pollution.

John Quigley, a longtime environmental advocate, resigned Friday after Wolf’s office disclosed that it was looking into the e-mail Quigley had sent from a private e-mail address to environmental group leaders on April 13. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the e-mail on Monday.

In the e-mail, Quigley wrote that he “can no longer hold back” and warned that vetoes by Wolf should not be taken for granted. He also suggested that it was counterproductive for environmental groups to stick to a position of opposing drilling.

“Do some of you think that staying on your moratorium hobby horse does anything to advance the cause of protecting the environment and public health? Do you really think the Governor will veto this (legislation) with NO support? The environmental community is without influence in Harrisburg. What will you do about it?” Quigley wrote.

Wolf has not discussed the contents of Quigley’s e-mail. In an interview with The Associated Press, the Democratic governor confirmed Quigley’s resignation, but he would not explain the reasons behind it and said he did not fire Quigley. Wolf said only that Quigley did a “fine job.”

Quigley has not responded to voicemails seeking comment. Quigley, 56, was appointed by Wolf last year and confirmed by the Senate. In addition to being a longtime environmental advocate, he is a former Hazleton mayor and served in former Gov. Ed Rendell’s administration.

Quigley titled the roughly 120-word e-mail “Chapter 78” — a reference to oil and gas drilling regulations — but did not recommend any specific action.