Staff Report
Montgomery, January 15, 2014 – Citing his National footprint on State-level energy policy, The Joint Legislative Committee on Energy Policy voted unanimously to elevate Senator Cam Ward (R-Alabaster) to serve as Chairman.
“I’m honored that my colleagues see me as a leader, and have chosen to give me this opportunity,” Ward said. “I was present at the conception of this committee, and to see that hard work pay off, and be given a chance to make a real difference in our state energy policy, and the jobs that it brings, is a real proud moment for me.”
Ward has emerged as the go-to man on energy issues in Alabama, and regionally, through his work with associations of State legislative leaders such as Southern Legislative Conference, State Agriculture and Rural Leaders and as Vice Chairman of The Energy Taskforce for The National Conference of State Legislatures.
Ward was recently in Oklahoma City to meet with a group of Agriculture Committee Chairmen to see how those two vital interests can better work together. Ward was the Keynote Speaker for The Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce Legislative Lunch, speaking to them about the importance of The Port of Mobile in regional energy policy, and the recent attacks on Alabama’s energy interests by environmental groups such as The Sierra Club.
“Cam is passionate about energy policy, and he is known as a leader in national energy committee circles, so this is a no brainer,” Senate President Pro Tempore Del Marsh (R-Anniston) said. “Cam just gets it, and that’s why you see him out in front on vital issues like energy.”
“My plan is to share the good news about energy exploration and creation in Alabama, and the threats that the current administration and EPA policies pose to this vital industry,” Ward said. “Alabama ranks 13th in Energy production, and has the highest percentage of “mix” in baseload production of any southeastern state. That’s a fancy way of saying we’re in the top 25% of energy producing states, and we get our energy from a diverse set of fuels: hydro-electric, nuclear, coal and renewables. Each one of the industries creates jobs for our state, and each receives industry-specific tax incentives to ensure lower consumer costs, and higher worker retention rates.”
