BATON ROUGE, LA – In a heartfelt statement Thursday, Governor Jeff Landry praised outgoing DEQ Secretary Aurelia Skipwith Giacometto for her “groundbreaking contributions to organizational churn,” calling her tenure “a masterclass in how to empty an office without layoffs.”
During her brief but impactful leadership, Giacometto transformed the Department of Environmental Quality into what one analyst described as “a revolving door with a hazmat sign.” At least 20 employees resigned or transferred, citing everything from “leadership toxicity” to “philosophical differences with the concept of clean water.”
“She didn’t so much manage the agency as she did speedrun its dismantling,” said one former employee, who asked to remain anonymous out of fear of being asked to return.
Governor Landry remained upbeat. “Some leaders reduce pollution, others reduce staffing costs through sheer force of personality,” he said. “That’s innovation.”
Giacometto’s tenure included efforts to deregulate emissions reporting and rename wetlands as “excess puddles.” Her resignation now leaves the agency with more open positions than functioning air monitors.
The state is reportedly considering a new hire with actual environmental experience, or at minimum, someone who knows DEQ isn’t short for “Don’t Even Question.”
