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Rep. Jane Knapp Named to National Environmental Leadership Group

AUGUSTA – Maine House Speaker Hannah Pingree has named State Rep. Jane Knapp to the influential Environment Committee at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). The appointment, which takes effect immediately, will bring Rep. Knapp into contact with state legislators from around the nation to share approaches and solutions to common environmental issues.

“I’m honored by this appointment and by the opportunity to represent Maine at the national level,” said Rep. Knapp (R-Gorham), a first-term legislator. “The NCSL is an outstanding organization, and its Environment Committee serves as a forum for legislators to share information about options being considered in other states. The best ideas don’t always come from the federal government. I think the most innovative solutions often come from the states.”

Rep. Knapp currently serves on the Natural Resources Committee in the Maine Legislature. That panel deals with air and water quality; natural resource protection; shoreland zoning; and subdivisions and growth management. The committee also has jurisdiction over management and disposal of solid, hazardous, biomedical and special wastes; hydropower and dams; energy facility siting; waste-to-energy facilities; mining; and general environmental policy, including oversight of the Department of Environmental Protection.

The NCSL’s Environment Committee educates Congress and federal agencies as to state concerns regarding a variety of issues, such as air quality, water management and cost-benefit analysis of environmental regulations. Its jurisdiction extends to a diverse group of environmental issues, including natural disasters, waste disposal, pesticides, alternative energy and nuclear waste.

“One of the strengths of the NCSL is its solid support for state sovereignty,” said Rep. Knapp. “At a time of growing federal encroachment on states’ right, we’re fortunate to have this strong advocate for federalism.”

The NCSL, based in Denver, is a bipartisan organization that provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues. It also advocates for the interests of state governments before Congress and federal agencies.

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