Office of Speaker Neufeld: REP. OLSON APPOINTED TO ADVISORY GROUP

FROM THE OFFICE OF SPEAKER NEUFELD

July 02, 2008

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

Rep. Rob Olson
913/302-3135


Topeka – Kansas Speaker of the House of Representatives Melvin Neufeld (R-Ingalls) appointed Rep. Rob Olson (R-Olathe) to represent the House on the Kansas Energy and Environmental Policy Advisory Group.   

The Speaker said he chose Rep. Olson as his appointment because of his concerns about the organization facilitating the advisory group, Center of Climate Strategies.

  “Center of Climate Strategies is funded mainly by groups who approach our country’s energy and environmental issues with an alarmist’s point of view, raising real concerns about whether their predetermined biases will affect the advisory group’s findings and recommendations,” Speaker Neufeld said.  “As a small business owner, Rep. Olson understands the impact potential carbon regulations and carbon tax sequestration requirements could have on businesses in our state.  He will make sure those concerns are heard during the advisory group’s discussions.”

  The Olathe representative serves the 26th House District.  He is the Vice Chair of the House Energy and Utilities Committee and sits on the House Federal and State Affairs and Economic Development and Tourism Committees.  In addition, he serves on Legislative Joint Committees for Special Claims Against the State and Pensions, Investments and Benefits.  

The Governor established the advisory group with Executive Order 08-03.  The group is charged with development of recommendations to the Governor to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Kansas.