Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Risch will once again serve as the top Republican on the Subcommittee for Energy of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

"I am honored to serve as Chairman for the Subcommittee on Energy," said Risch. “My appointment to this subcommittee is important to Idaho as the home of the Idaho National Laboratory. With INL's research in the areas of energy, security and the environment, it is well positioned to continue its important role in our nation's energy security. Additionally, a strong economy and quality of life are directly linked to energy, and our obligation is to see that the American people get the best of both.”

The jurisdiction of the Energy Subcommittee includes oversight and legislative responsibilities for: nuclear coal and synthetic fuels research and development; nuclear and non-nuclear energy commercialization projects; nuclear fuel cycle policy; DOE National Laboratories; global climate change; commercialization of new technologies including solar energy systems; Federal energy conservation programs; liquefied natural gas projects; oil and natural gas regulation; refinery policy; coal conversion; strategic petroleum reserves; regulation of Trans-Alaska Pipeline System; and oil, gas and coal production and distribution.

Risch, a graduate of the University of Idaho's College of Forestry, was also appointed to the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests and the Subcommittee on Water and Power.

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