Office of Speaker Neufeld: SPEAKER NAMES APPOINTMENTS TO ENERGY COMMITTEE

FROM THE OFFICE OF SPEAKER NEUFELD

July 01, 2008

CONTACT:
Sherriene Jones-Sontag
Office of Speaker Melvin Neufeld
785/296-2302

Rep. Carl Holmes, 620/624-7361
Rep. Mitch Holmes, 620/234-5834
Rep. Forrest Knox, 785/773-5564
Rep. Tom Sloan, 785841-1526


Topeka – Kansas Speaker of the House of Representatives Melvin Neufeld (R-Ingalls) announced today he has appointed Representatives Carl Holmes (R-Liberal), Mitch Holmes (R-Saint John), Forrest Knox (R-Altoona), and Tom Sloan (R-Lawrence) to the Joint Committee on Energy and Environmental Policy. The Kansas Legislature established the committee with the passage of Senate Bill 586 during the 2008 session.  

Speaker Neufeld said the goal of the committee’s work on our state’s energy policy will be to find substantive, long-term solutions and goals.

  “Those who serve on the legislature’s special energy committee are elected by Kansans.  They are closest to the issue and know firsthand how it directly impacts Kansas families and businesses.  They will not have an outside organization dictating which energy-related topics they can discuss; hear testimony on; and ultimately recommend for policy,” Speaker Neufeld said.  “The committee’s work will be done with thoughtful, scientific-based research without the soundbite rhetoric that has plagued the discussion on this very important issue.”

  Rep. Carl Holmes represents the 125th District.  He is the Chairman of the House Energy and Utilities Committee and of the Kansas Electric Transmission Authority and Vice-Chairman of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and Regulations.  He serves on the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Committee.  He sits on the Kansas Energy Council and chairs the Council’s Biomass Committee.   He also is a member of the Energy Council of America’s Executive Committee.

  “Rep. Carl Holmes is a nationally-recognized expert on energy and environment policy and as Chairman of the House Energy Utilities Committee, has a long record of getting things done to benefit the state, consumers, businesses and the environment,” Speaker Neufeld said.

   Rep. Mitch Holmes represents the 114th House District.  He serves on several key House Committees including Appropriations; Insurance and Financial Institutions; Select Committee on Corrections Reform and Oversight; and as Vice-Chairman of Transportation and Public Safety Budget.

  “Rep. Mitch Holmes has worked tirelessly on legislation involving our state’s bio-fuels sector and will bring a distinctive skill set and valuable expertise to the table,” Speaker Neufeld said.

  Rep. Knox represents the 13th House District.  He is Vice-Chairman of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and Chairman of the Joint Committee on State-Tribal Relations.  He also serves on the House Energy and Utilities Committee and the House Federal and State Affairs Committee.

   “Rep. Knox’ engineering background and dedicated interest in bio-fuels and alternative energies and will bring a unique, well-rounded perspective on the committee,” Speaker Neufeld said.

  Rep. Sloan represents the 45th House District.  He sits on the House Transportation and Energy and Utilities Committees and is Vice-Chairman of the House Government Efficiency and Technology Committee.

  Speaker Neufeld said of his appointment of Rep. Sloan, “He is nationally-recognized for his expertise and leadership in environmental issues.  He also will bring an important urban perspective to the committee.”

  The Committee may introduce legislation and is required to submit a report before each year to the Legislature and related standing committees with any findings it deems necessary concerning energy and environmental policy.