FROM STAFF REPORTS

State Sen. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster, has been named chairman of the National Conference of State Legislatures’ standing committee on Natural Resources and Infrastructure.

The National Conference of State Legislatures is an organization composed of legislatures from all 50 states and various U.S. territories. Its responsibility is to lobby the federal government on issues affecting the states and to encourage the interaction between members of state legislatures on problems common to their individual states. NCSL is the leading voice of state concerns regarding federal policies that impact the states.

NCSL does its work through its nine standing committees, including the Natural Resources and Infrastructure Committee. It acts as a forum for state legislators and legislative staff to learn and share information regarding programs and initiatives, in other states in particular. This committee has jurisdiction over state and federal energy, environment, agriculture and transportation programs, legislation, regulations and policies. With ever growing conflict between states and the federal government regarding upcoming proposed EPA regulations, this committee has taken on a greater role in policy debates.

Ward has served as chairman of both the Senate Energy Committee and Joint Oversight Committee for Energy Policy for the last four years in Alabama.

“I am humbled by this appointment and look forward to continuing the very important work that this committee is charged with performing”, Ward wrote in a release. “Alabama is rapidly becoming one of the leading energy producing states in our country. Alabama and other states are facing big challenges related to different areas of energy, agriculture the environment and transportation. I will do all I can in my capacity as chairman to provide some important and needed direction.”