Sherman tapped for committees

    Senator Roger Sherman (R-Aroostook County) has been appointed to serve as a member of the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee as well as the Utilities Committee during the 124th Maine Legislature. He represents District 34, which is comprised of part of Aroostook County. 
    “I am pleased once again to serve as the lead Republican on the Agriculture Committee. I hope to continue my work on farmland preservation and right to farm legislation. Keeping Maine’s farming heritage intact is essential in building a healthy Maine economy. Agriculture and energy go hand in hand and my duties on both of my committees dovetail nicely together. Energy is of vital importance in this age of volatile oil prices. The work this committee does will help to find alternatives and affordable forms of energy.” Senator Sherman said.
    “As a farmer himself, Senator Sherman brings tremendous insight to his position as Senate Republican Lead on the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee, so I am pleased that he will continue in this important post. And in his new position on the Utilities and Energy Committee, Senator Sherman’s keen intellect will be of great benefit as we make key decisions that will shape Maine’s energy future,” said Senate Republican Leader Kevin Raye, of Washington County, who recommended Sherman for both positions.
    The Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee is composed of 3 Senators and 10 Representatives. The committee is responsible for the Maine Department of Agriculture; agriculture marketing; animal welfare; food inspection; dairy industry; pesticides regulation; soil and water conservation; farmland preservation; harness racing; public access to lands; forest practices; fire control and forest management, marketing and utilization; the Maine Department of Conservation, including state parks, memorials and historic sites, public lands, coastal islands registry; the Maine Land Use Regulatory Commission (LURC); the Baxter State Park Authority and geological surveying and mapping.
    The Utilities and Energy Committee is responsible for all legislation concerning the Public Utilities Commission, and the Public Advocate, as well as regulated public utilities (electric, gas, water and telephone), electric industry restructuring, telecommunications, cable television, water, sewer and utility district charters, non-utility power generation (power purchase contracts), energy efficiency and conservation, alternate energy sources, nuclear power, energy policy, and energy production and transmission.