Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I – Corning) has been tapped as the Ranking Minority Member on the Energy Committee for the upcoming legislative session.

The Assembly Energy Committee has jurisdiction over legislation relating to energy availability and resources, energy policy and planning, the conservation of energy and electric and gas ratemaking in New York State. The committee’s impact on economic development and environmental policy has become increasingly important due to an increased commitment to energy efficiency and shifts toward competition in electric generation and energy supply.

“I am pleased to be named the Ranking Minority Member on the Energy Committee by Leader Kolb,” said Palmesano. “If we want to be ‘Open for Business’ in New York State, then it is absolutely imperative that we continue to develop our competitive markets and provide an affordable and reliable energy supply for our businesses, manufacturers and consumers.”

The committee primarily works with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Public Service Commission (PSC), and the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to manage the state’s energy resources and allocation.

Palmesano’s other assignments include Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee, Libraries and Education Technology Committee, Oversight, Analysis and Investigation Committee, and Real Property Taxation Committee.

Palmesano was re-elected in November to his second term in the Assembly. He now represents the new 132nd Assembly District which consists of the majority of Steuben County, all of Schuyler and Yates Counties, and portions of Chemung (towns of Catlin, Erin, Van Etten and Veteran) and Seneca (towns of Covert, Lodi, Ovid and Romulus) counties.