Congressman Chris Gibson announced today that he is forming an Energy Advisory Council to work with him on a broad range of energy issues. A principal goal will be to identify the steps necessary to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign oil, develop clean forms of domestic energy production and what role the local area can play in that effort, according to information from his office.
The first meeting of the Energy Advisory Council will be held March 23.
An essential part of our economic recovery is providing our businesses and consumers with reliable and affordable sources of power. The United States needs a revised energy policy that reduces energy costs, limits our dependence on foreign oil, and protects our environment. I support an ‘all of the above’ energy policy that includes investments in solar, wind, biomass, hydro, and nuclear energy. All of these industries will be represented on my Energy Advisory Council, said Gibson in a statement. `I firmly believe that the 20th District can be at the forefront of clean energy technology, and I look forward to discussing that with this broad range of energy experts, conservation advocates, organized labor, and government leaders. In addition, I look forward to hearing their recommendations and counsel regarding energy legislation being considered before Congress as well as what impediments are currently restricting the development of domestic energy sources.`
Since Congressman Gibson was elected, he has held a variety of meetings with federal, state and local leaders, policy experts and companies in the private sector on energy production and transmission. Gibson has also held events highlighting the use of clean energy in the 20th District, including at a farm in Hoosick that invested in solar energy to reduce electricity costs.
The Energy Advisory Council will focus broadly on three primary areas: energy generation and conservation/efficiency efforts; energy transmission; and fuel transportation needs. The Energy Advisory council will be charged with growing public awareness about energy challenges and will be available as a nonpartisan resource to review Congressional energy proposals.
Panel participants will be made up of energy stakeholders with expertise in many different forms of energy generation, transmission, conservation, and government. A full list of these participants will be named prior to the March 23 meeting.
Gibson has formed a similar panel to advise him on agriculture issues.
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