SEEC Announces Leadership for 113th Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) is pleased to announce its leadership for the 113th Congress. SEEC leadership includes three Co-Chairs: Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY), Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-VA), Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY); and four Vice-Chairs: Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ), Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO), and Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA). Rep. Pingree will lead the group’s membership, reaching out to new members and coordinating the current membership; Rep. Holt will serve as the Coalition’s whip, building unity for legislative priorities and positions; Rep. Polis will coordinate the Coalition’s environment outreach, working with leaders in the environmental community to move the Coalition’s priorities and develop new initiatives; and Rep. Matsui will coordinate the Coalition’s energy outreach, working with leaders in the energy community to move the Coalition’s priorities and develop new initiatives.
Co-Chairs:
Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY): SEEC founder and Co-Chairman Congressman Israel represents New York's Third Congressional District. He has been a congressional leader promoting policies to support economic growth in an innovative and energy-independent America. Israel believes that energy independence is not just an environmental and economic imperative, but also an issue of our national security. Israel is a member of the House Leadership serving as the Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and as a result has taken a temporary leave of absence from his assignments on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense and Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations.
Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-VA): Congressman Connolly represents Fairfax and Prince William Counties in Northern Virginia. As a chairman of SEEC, he has worked to reduce fuel convoy deaths among U.S. soldiers, expand weatherization programs for American homeowners, and protect public lands. He serves on the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, where he is ranking member on the Subcommittee on Government Operations. Prior to his election to Congress, Connolly served as the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Fairfax County, the largest jurisdiction in the Washington metropolitan area, where he spearheaded the Cool Counties climate stabilization initiative.
Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY): Congressman Tonko is serving his third term representing New York’s 20th District. A nationally recognized expert on clean energy policy, he served 15 years as Chair of the New York State Assembly Energy Committee, and as President/CEO of the New York State Energy Research Development Authority. He serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee, where he is the ranking member on the Environment and the Economy Subcommittee.
Vice-Chairs:
Vice Chair, Membership
Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME): Congresswoman Chellie Pingree began her working life in Maine as an organic farmer on the island of North Haven, where she lives today. She has successfully started several small businesses and currently owns the Nebo Inn and Restaurant and the Turner Farm on the island. Pingree is a member of the Appropriations Committee and has been a national leader on agriculture reform that supports healthy, sustainable food and farm policy.
Vice Chair, Coalition Whip
Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ): First elected to Congress in 1998, Rep. Rush Holt represents the 12th district of New Jersey. He serves on the House Committee on Natural Resources where, as the senior Democrat on the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources he is working to develop a long-term strategy to decrease our nation’s dependence on fossil fuels and protect our environment for future generations. Holt, a former research physicist, has conducted extensive research on alternative energy. He was assistant director of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory before his election to Congress, and he holds a patent for a solar energy device.
Vice Chair, Environment Outreach
Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO): First elected in 2008, Congressman Polis represents Colorado’s central mountains boasting the nation’s top ski and recreation destinations and Boulder, an epicenter of climate research and clean energy innovation. As a vice chairman he has led SEEC efforts promoting investments in breakthrough energy innovation, and has sought to protect clean air and drinking water for all Americans.
Vice Chair, Energy Outreach
Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA): Congresswoman Matsui represents the 6th District of California. A dedicated advocate of clean energy technology issues, she is also a co-chair of the Congressional High-Tech Caucus. She has served on the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee since 2008 where she advocates for policies that would level the playing field for clean energy companies and works to prevent the harmful effects of climate change.
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