Bonnie Heiple Named New Commissioner of MassDEP

Wilmer Hale attorney Bonnie Heiple is Governor Maura Healey’s pick to run the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). Heiple is a Boston-based environmental and energy law lawyer and will succeed Martin Suuberg, who served as Commissioner for most of former Governor Charlie Baker’s eight years in office. Suuberg has taken a role as Executive Director of the Northeast Waste Management Officials’ Association (NEWMOA).

Given the aggressive environmental agenda that Governor Healey and Melissa Hoffer, Massachusetts’ first ever Climate Chief, bring to the new administration, Heiple’s selection from the private sector may be an effort to bring balance to the regulatory equation.  Moreover, Heiple’s strong environmental and energy law background will undoubtedly help the Healey Administration make progress on its key objectives, such as environmental justice and climate change. 

“As a fellow member of the Boston Bar Association's Environmental and Energy Law Section, I have had the privilege of getting to know Bonnie and am confident that her background and strong experience will benefit MassDEP while bringing a fresh, practical perspective to the agency," said Brook Detterman, Managing Principal of Beveridge & Diamond’s Boston Office."

If you have or will have matters pending before MassDEP, B&D's Massachusetts office has advised on potential impacts from the change at the top of MassDEP for decades.