Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson has been appointed as Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development.  The Subcommittee funds all functions of the U.S. Department of Energy, including the Idaho National Laboratory’s research and cleanup operations.

“Given the importance of this Subcommittee to Idaho and its daily impact on my constituents, I am honored and pleased to have the opportunity to be its new Chairman,” said Simpson. “The Idaho delegation has a strong history of involvement in federal issues related to energy development and water infrastructure, and in particular nuclear energy. This new assignment gives me the opportunity to expand our involvement in these issues and make sure the concerns of our state and region are heard and addressed.”

“There are very few who know more about the nation’s energy and water needs than Mike Simpson. His leadership, experience, drive, and professional focus make him an excellent fit to chair this subcommittee. I know that he is committed to making the most out of every precious taxpayer dollar, to ensuring that our nation continues to strive toward energy independence, and to fostering an environment that allows our businesses to create jobs and grow the economy,” House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers said. “I am looking forward to working with him in his new role.”

The Subcommittee’s primary jurisdiction includes the following federal agencies:

• Department of Energy, including Idaho National Laboratory and Bonneville Power Administration
• National Nuclear Security Administration
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• Bureau of Reclamation
• Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board
• Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board

Other areas of jurisdiction include the Central Utah Project, the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Delta Regional Authority, the Denali Commission, the Northern Border Regional Commission, the Southern Crescent Regional Commission, and the Tennessee Valley Authority

“Whether it’s the cleanup of sites like INL, the maintenance of our nation’s nuclear weapons, or the many vital water projects across the Western United States, the Energy and Water Subcommittee’s work touches almost every community in Idaho and across the country,” said Simpson. “I have served on the Subcommittee for a number of years and have worked hard to learn about the issues before it and the federal programs under its jurisdiction. I am looking forward to getting to work immediately.”

Simpson will remain a member of the Subcommittee on Interior and the Environment as well as the Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, Labor, and Education. “I am pleased to be continuing as a member of the Interior Subcommittee and intent on staying engaged on the issues I have championed as Chairman,” said Simpson. “Addressing hazardous fuels on federal forest and grazing lands, improving the way we fund wildfire fighting, reducing the size and authority of the EPA, protecting state sovereignty over water, and maintaining our trust responsibilities to Native Americans will remain top priorities of mine in the coming weeks, months, and years.”