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July 16, 2009 Jay Finegan, 287-1445
Rep. Jon McKane Named to National Environmental Leadership Group

AUGUSTA – Maine House Speaker Hannah Pingree has named Rep. Jon McKane to an influential committee on environmental affairs at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). The appointment, which takes effect immediately, will bring Rep. McKane 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. McKane (R-Newcastle), a third-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. McKane serves on the Marine Resources Committee in the Maine Legislature, where he deals with a range of environmental matters with regard to commercial marine fisheries management, aquaculture and processing and sale of marine fish and shellfish.

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.

The NCSL, based in Denver, is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the nation's 50 states, its commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues; and it advocates for the interests of state governments before Congress and federal agencies.

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