WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Paul Tonko was named to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce today, one of the oldest and most prestigious committees in the House of Representatives. With this appointment, he becomesone of two New York members on the Committee, which has jurisdiction over national energy policy, public and mental healthpolicy and regulation of interstate and foreign commerce. Energy and Commerce is the oldest standingcommittee in the House, created in December of 1795, and has the broadest jurisdiction of any authorizing committee.

“I am incredibly honored and humbled to have been selected to serve on the Energy and Commerce Committee,” said Congressman Tonko. “This new role enables me to leverage my strengths and expertise with the needs of the Capital Region and the State of New York. I look forward to taking on this new challenge and am committed to promoting policies that will create jobs, grow our energy independence and improve the air we breathe and the water we drink. By working together, we can foster economic growth and unleash the incredible potential of America’s clean energy innovators and entrepreneurs.”

There are twenty-four Democratic members of the Committee, and Congressman Tonko is one of only two new Democratic members to join it for the 113^th Congress.

Before his previous role as the President and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Congressman Tonko served in the New York State Assembly for 25 years, 15 of which he was the Chair of the Assembly Energy Committee.  He graduated from Clarkson University with a degree in mechanical and industrial engineering.

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