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WASHINGTON—Congressman Paul Tonko confirmed this morning that he has agreed to join the House Committee on Natural Resources, the third committee through which Tonko will take up responsibility for addressing the climate crisis. Tonko is set to serve on the committee’s Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands. One of a small handful of engineers in Congress, Tonko agreed to be appointed to serve on a third climate-focused committee at the request of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, which likely positions Tonko to serve as the leading architect for climate action in the House of Representatives.

“I’m honored to join Chairman Grijalva and the members on the Natural Resources committee who have rightly put the climate crisis front and center in their work this term,” Tonko said. “While it is unusual for one member to serve these committees simultaneously, each of them, Energy and Commerce, Natural Resources, and the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, have distinct roles to play in building solutions that match the scope and scale of the climate crisis. I’m excited to work with the members on each of these committees to tell America’s climate story, bring our best ideas together and ensure that we truly are doing all we can to protect our families and communities from this grave and growing threat.”

This appointment comes in addition to his elected leadership role on the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change. As part of his work on the Natural Resources Committee, Tonko plans to continue his push to enact the National Heritage Area Act, a bill that strengthens the system for designating and maintaining National Heritage Areas, such as the Erie Canal National Heritage Area. In addition, he will push legislation to protect vital water resources including the Hudson-Mohawk River Basin.

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