Congressman-elect Raul Ruiz has been appointed to the House Committee on Natural Resources, his office announced today.
The committee focuses on legislation impacting American energy production, mineral lands and mining, fisheries and wildlife, public lands, oceans, Native Americans, irrigation and reclamation, Ruiz officials wrote in a news release.
Ruiz said he requested an appointment to the Committee because it has jurisdiction over several key issues facing the region.
“This committee is a great fit for the needs of our district,” said Ruiz through the news release. “It will allow me to help our alternative energy companies grow and create new jobs. It will give me a platform to push for restoration of the Salton Sea. And, it will let me work on many of the most important issues facing our local tribes.”
The Committee has five subcommittees: Energy and Mineral Resources; Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs; Indian and Alaska Native Affairs; National Parks, Forests and Public Lands; and Water and Power, officials wrote.
“My goal is to use this committee to help our area become a national leader in creating alternative energy jobs,” said Ruiz. “Alternative energy like wind and solar is not only good for the economy, it also reduces our dependence on foreign oil, and reduces the threat of global warming.”
