Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Senator Domenici serves as Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The committee's jurisdiction includes oversight and legislative responsibilities for: national energy policy, including international energy affairs and emergency preparedness; nuclear waste policy; privatization of federal assets; territorial policy (including changes in status and issues affecting Antarctica); Native Hawaiian matters; and Ad Hoc issues. The committee has four subcommittees Energy, National Parks, Public Lands and Forests, and Water and Power.

Senator Domenici's focus has been to reform and update America's energy infrastructure. During his tenure as Chairman, he led Congress to pass the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which was signed into law by President Bush during a visit to Albuquerque, NM in August of that year. This landmark bill made significant strides to diversify America's energy supply, promote renewable technology like wind, solar, and biomass, and promote clean nuclear energy. It also took steps to make America's electricity grid more reliable.

Senator Domenici continues to support a balanced approach to energy. He has joined Senator Jeff Bingaman to help pass legislation that will dramatically increase the use of clean burning biofuels, with a particularly emphasis on advanced biofuels like cellulosic ethanol and sorghum. He's also worked to increase the efficiency of our appliances to save energy and money for consumers.

Senator Domenici believes a balanced approach to energy should also include tapping into America's resources when it can be done in an environmentally responsible manner. In 2006, he authored a new law that allows limited drilling for oil and natural gas in the Gulf of Mexico, with the goal of reducing America's dependence on foreign oil.

As Ranking Member of the Energy Committee, Senator Domenici will continue to look for ways for America to produce more energy, both from traditional sources and from newer, cleaner technology. It is this balanced approach that will lead to a secure energy future.

For more information on the Energy Committee, please visit:
http://energy.senate.gov/index.cfm

For a complete list of legislation currently under the jurisdiction of the Energy Committee, please see:
http://energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Legislation.Home