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September 14, 2009 Jay Finegan, 287-1445
Rep. Dean Cray Named to National Panel on Energy and Agriculture

AUGUSTA – State Rep. Dean Cray has been named to an influential national committee that deals with major energy issues under the auspices of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). The appointment, announced recently by Maine House Speaker Hannah Pingree, will take effect immediately.

Rep. Cray (R-Palmyra), a second-term legislator, will join the NCSL’s Standing Committee on Agriculture and Energy, which has jurisdiction over state and federal legislation dealing with natural resources, energy and electric utilities. The committee has recently addressed such issues as energy security, water allocation dispute resolution and cost-benefit analysis of environmental regulations. The panel also deals with legislation concerning agriculture and rural development.

“I’m honored by this appointment and by the opportunity to represent Maine at the national level,” said Rep. Cray. “These NCSL committees provide excellent forums where legislators from all over the country can share approaches and solutions to common problems. I believe the most imaginative thinking about government is happening at the state level, not in Washington.”

In the Maine Legislature, Rep. Cray serves on the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee, which has oversight responsibility for a huge range of critical government functions, including the Department of Conservation; food safety; the dairy industry; pesticide regulation; and land preservation. It also has jurisdiction over Maine Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC); the Land for Maine's Future Program; and Baxter State Park.

Rep. Cray said one of the strengths of the NCSL is its firm support for state sovereignty. “At a time of growing federal encroachment on states’ rights, we’re fortunate to have this strong advocate for federalism,” he said.

The NCSL, based in Denver, is a nonpartisan organization. Its committees have no actual legislative authority. Instead, they attempt to educate Congress and federal agencies about state concerns regarding the most pressing issues.

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