Robert Thomas knew Louisiana would eventually elect a governor who would view the environment as an area of economic growth. He just didn’t think it would take 195 years to do so, nor did he think he’d eventually become that governor’s point man for those issues.

Thomas, interim director of and associate professor with Loyola’s School of Mass Communication, was answering e-mails and grading papers in his office late in October when “a gentleman who introduced himself as a member of (Governor-elect Bobby Jindal’s) transition team” called his office and asked him to serve as chairman of the Economic Growth Transition Advisory Council’s environmental focus group.

By the time he hung up, he was Jindal’s man, heading a committee of 30 people grappling with issues as diverse as the petrochemical industry and the coastal wetlands.

“We always knew it would happen,” Thomas said. “For 30 years, I and many other environmentalists have been consistent in making those suggestions. We were just always disappointed.”

“I think it’s a great tribute to Dr. Thomas to have the governor-elect recognize his expertise and leadership on environmental matters. Having worked with him since he came to Loyola, I’m certain he will do an excellent job,” wrote Larry Lorenz, dean of the College of Social Sciences, in an e-mail to The Maroon. “His work will certainly redound to the credit of the college and university.”

Thomas was also suddenly in a position to make a change on an issue he’s cared about for years: the state’s Department of Environmental Quality, whose regulatory policies regarding economic development ensure residents comprehensive protection as companies in the area try to grow.

“They make most of their budgets from fines,” Thomas said. “I’d like to see them get the entire budget from (Louisiana’s) general fund so that fining companies for violating (environmental regulations) isn’t the way they make the money that keeps them alive.”

Additionally, Thomas hopes to make the DEQ’s “haphazard” regulatory process more consistent.

Historically, it abruptly shifts from a stringent stance on its company policing to a relaxed one, said Thomas.

“When you do that, companies have trouble planning. They don’t know where the regulations are going to be enforced next.”

That sometimes is enough to keep companies away from investing in the state.

“If DEQ would be absolutely consistent across the board and have well-qualified people doing the inspections,” Thomas said, not only would it produce a better commitment from companies to keeping the environment clean for the state’s residents, it would mean more companies either moving in or planning to stay longer and deal the economy a pick-me-up.

“In the past, the environment was always seen as a liability of economic growth,” he said. “(Jindal) sees it as an asset, an important part of Louisiana’s future, and I think that’s vitally important.”

It was important enough that Jindal identified the environment as one of seven areas of focus for his transition council on economic growth. Other areas include recruitment and business retention.

The best way Thomas said he can ensure his aims play out smoothly is to basically act as a gatekeeper, ensuring the “right things get to the table” before they hammer out a list of suggestions to forward to Jindal for his administration’s economic plan.

“There are going to be people coming in with all sorts of agendas and ideas,” Thomas said. Just one month into his tenure as chairman, dozens of people have flooded his voicemail and e-mail inboxes with information. They’ve also physically approached him and made suggestions.

“The main job is to make sure all ideas are equally handled. We only meet once as a committee, and the success is going to be determined by how well we manage all that.”

Ramon Antonio Vargas can be reached at [email protected].