Sen. Brownie Carson to chair the Environment and Natural Resources Committee for the 129th Maine Legislature

AUGUSTA — Sen. Brownie Carson, D-Harpswell, has been appointed by Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, to chair the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources for the 129th Legislative session. The Environment and Natural Resources Committee is responsible for issues including air and water quality, natural resource protection, hydropower and mining.

“I’m honored to be chosen to chair the Environment and Natural Resources Committee,” said Sen. Carson. “Our future depends on the health of our environment and the sustainability of our natural resources. I look forward to the important work we will do together in the coming years.”

Sen. Carson also will serve on the Legislature’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee, which is responsible for issues including school finance, curriculum, adult education, and the University of Maine System.

Before serving in the Maine Senate, Sen. Carson served as executive director of the Natural Resources Council of Maine for 27 years. He is also an attorney and Vietnam War veteran.

Lawmakers are assigned to committees by the presiding officers based on their interests, experience and professional background. Joint standing committees are composed of three senators and ten representatives. The Legislature is set to reconvene Jan. 2.