Langevin on "aggressive" new energy-enviro panel

UPDATE: Release from Langevin's office:

“I am proud to be a part of this energetic group of lawmakers who are dedicated to building a robust green economy in our nation,” said Langevin. “The time has long come and gone for Congress to take a strong leadership role on issues relating to the environment and energy.”

The Energy and Environment Coalition will advance policies that:

Promote clean energy technology research and development
Develop renewable energy resources
Create green collar jobs throughout the supply chain
Protect our nation’s clean air, water and natural environment

“As evidenced by our current economic downturn, I look forward to working with my colleagues on these issues, especially finding new ways to create new jobs here in Rhode Island that promote a green economy,” continued Langevin.

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Besides his new seat on the House budget committee, US Representative Jim Langevin has a vice chairmanship on another interesting panel:

WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Reps. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) and Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) today announced the formation of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), a focused, action-based caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives. The group recently met with Assistant to the President Carol Browner to discuss energy and climate policy. Additionally, the SEEC has been working to strengthen green technology provisions in the American Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Plan.

“The 111th Congress convened in a perfect storm,” said Inslee, a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Natural Resources Committee. “The melting of the Arctic ice cap is speeding up toward a point of no return and the economy is in turmoil. We are in need of bold, aggressive action, and that’s exactly what the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition is about.”

“This year, we have a historic opportunity to finally reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” said Israel, a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water. “The Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition will lead efforts in the House to create the incentives and make the investments we need to transform our economy, our infrastructure, and our environment.”

Inslee and Israel are the co-chairs of the SEEC, whose stated purpose is “to advance policies that promote clean energy technology innovation and domestic manufacturing, develop renewable energy resources, create green collar jobs throughout the product supply-chain, help arrest global warming and protect our nation’s clean air, water and natural environment.”

The SEEC already has thirty-five founding members, a strong show of initial support in a session of Congress that will be a turning point in climate and energy policy. The 2009 vice-chairs for the SEEC are:

· Rep. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.),Vice-Chair for Speakers;
· Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Vice-Chair for Outreach;
· Rep. Jim Langevin (D-R.I.), Vice-Chair for Membership; and
· Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.), Vice-Chair Whip.
The 2010 vice-chairs will be Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Vice-Chair for Speakers; Rep. Paul Hodes (D-N.H.), Vice-Chair for Outreach; Rep. David Loebsack (D-Iowa), Vice-Chair for Membership; and Rep. Niki Tsongas (D-Mass.), Vice-Chair Whip. The coalition will operate like the Blue Dogs or the New Democrats – and also work with these and other groups on common goals – in that it will assertively push to advance its legislative agenda in talks with House leadership and other groups within Congress.