Lawton, OK – Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has dismissed his energy and environment secretary, Ken McQueen, after McQueen appeared in court as a plaintiff in a long-standing lawsuit accusing poultry companies of polluting Oklahoma waters. The governor made the announcement Tuesday, stating that McQueen’s participation in the case went against the interests of local farmers and landowners.
McQueen, who had served as secretary since 2022, attended a federal court hearing in Tulsa on Tuesday where the lawsuit is being heard. The case, filed in 2005 by former Attorney General Drew Edmondson, targets 13 large poultry companies, including Tyson Foods, for their role in polluting the Illinois River Watershed with phosphorus from waste generated by chicken farms in eastern Oklahoma. McQueen, in his capacity as the state’s environment secretary, had been a plaintiff in the case by virtue of his office’s role in the lawsuit.
Stitt expressed disappointment over McQueen’s actions, stating that his appearance in court aligned him with Attorney General Gentner Drummond and environmentalists, putting him at odds with Oklahoma’s agricultural interests. “This lawsuit is a radical left attempt at backdoor regulation through litigation,” Stitt said in a statement.
However, critics of the governor’s decision argue that McQueen was simply fulfilling his official duties. Edmondson, who initiated the lawsuit nearly two decades ago, called Stitt’s decision to fire McQueen “just plain stupid.” He emphasized that the role of environment secretary has always included participation as a plaintiff in the lawsuit, regardless of the secretary’s personal views on the case. “Showing up in a court appearance where he was obligated to be and firing him over that is just crazy,” Edmondson said.
The lawsuit itself claims that the large poultry companies should be held accountable for the environmental damage caused by their waste, which has led to the contamination of local waters and a harmful buildup of algae. Edmondson and others have maintained that the lawsuit is aimed at holding corporations accountable, not local farmers.
While Stitt has been a vocal critic of the lawsuit, Drummond, who took office as attorney general in 2023, has defended the case, calling a recent federal court ruling in favor of the plaintiffs a “great and historic day for Oklahoma.” Drummond’s office noted that while the poultry industry has made improvements in waste disposal, the attorney general is committed to seeking a fair resolution that protects both the environment and the state’s agricultural industry.
In response to McQueen’s dismissal, Stitt appointed Jeff Starling as the new energy and environment secretary. Starling, a former assistant general counsel for Devon Energy and current chief legal and administrative officer for Lagoon Water Midstream, brings extensive experience in both the public and private sectors. Stitt praised Starling’s qualifications, stating that his background would help guide Oklahoma’s energy strategy and ensure the state remains a leader in energy innovation.
Starling expressed enthusiasm about his new role, saying he was “thrilled to serve Oklahoma in this new capacity.” His appointment will now place him in charge of overseeing energy and environmental policies in the state, a position that includes responsibility for 36 state agencies, boards, and commissions, as well as federal Clean Water Act funding.
Oklahoma Governor Fires Energy Secretary Over Court Appearance in Poultry Pollution Lawsuit
