Congressman Paul Tonko was officially confirmed today as the Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy. The Chairman of the Subcommittee is John Shimkus (R-IL). Both Chairman Shimkus and Ranking Member Tonko hold engineering degrees.

The Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy has jurisdiction over all matters relating to soil and water contamination. It also oversees the regulation of solid, hazardous and nuclear waste. Other areas of jurisdiction include drinking water, toxic substances and industrial plant security.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve in a leadership role on the Energy and Commerce Committee,” said Congressman Tonko. “I look forward to working with Chairman Shimkusand the other Members of the Subcommittee. As Ranking Member on the Subcommittee, I will be able to leverage the strengths of Upstate New York with my personal expertise toencourage the development of clean energy jobs while protecting the air we breathe and the water we drink. Growing our economy for the middle class and protecting our valuableresources are not mutually exclusive. Indeed, smart policy ensures good jobs and a healthy environment. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work on these issues.”

In addition to this new assignment, Congressman Tonko becomes a seated member on the Subcommittee on Energy and Power as well as the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. The Subcommittee on Energy and Power has oversight over national energy policy. The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations has jurisdiction over all agencies, departments and programs within jurisdiction of the Committee.

The Committee on Energy and Commerce is one of the oldest and most prestigious committees in the House of Representatives. There are twenty-four Democratic members of the Committee, and Congressman Tonko is one of only two new Democratic members to join for the 113^th Congress. Energy and Commerce is the oldest standingcommittee in the House, created in December of 1795, and has the broadest jurisdiction of any authorizing committee.

Yesterday, the full committee held its first organizational meeting of the  113^th Congress, where Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Ranking Member Henry Waxman (D-CA) designated Congressman Tonko the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy. Today, the full House Democratic Caucus confirmed the appointment.

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