Aubertine Named Chair of Energy Committee

ALBANY (May 11, 2009)—State Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine today was selected by Majority Leader Malcolm A. Smith to serve as acting Chair of the Senate’s Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications.

“Certainly, this assignment fits well with my background, interests and experience,” said Sen. Aubertine, who is also Chair of the Senate’s Standing Committee on Agriculture.  “Energy issues are central to the interests of the 48th District, whether we are talking about the three nuclear reactors at Nine Mile Point and other generating facilities in Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties, or the development of alternative sources, including biofuels. Like agriculture, energy is a critical component of our region’s economy and statewide and with the future of renewable energy sources, the two are intertwined.”

Senator Aubertine, who served in the Assembly from 2003-2008 on the Energy Committee, had been a member of the Senate Energy Committee working closely with the former chair.

“Senator Aubertine has shown great leadership within our conference,” Majority Leader Smith said. “Drawing on the skills and expertise he has demonstrated, I am confident he will handle these additional responsibilities thoroughly.”

Environmental Advocates of New York weighed in on the announcement with a statement commending Senator Aubertine’s record on energy and the environment.

“As an Assemblyman, Darrel Aubertine has a record of supporting measures designed to move the state to a sustainable energy future while reducing New York’s share of global warming pollution, including legislation that would ensure revenue from the auction of pollution permits under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative supports energy efficiency and clean energy projects,” said Robert Moore, executive director of Environmental Advocates of New York. “Last year, State Senator Aubertine voted to reform New York’s net metering law so that more state residents could sell the clean energy they generate themselves back to utilities; he also supported tax credits for solar power and grants to build green. Based on his voting record, Senator Aubertine is likely to help restore New York State’s leadership in the fields of renewable energy and climate change.”

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