Recent Press Releases

Washington, DC —  Senator John Thune today issued the following statement regarding the announcement of his selection to serve as Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Energy, Science and Technology, which will be tasked with a majority of activities relating to ethanol and renewable energy for the full committee.

"As Ranking Member of the Senate Ag Committee's Subcommittee on Energy, Science and Technology, I will have the unique opportunity to bring a South Dakota perspective to this lead role in discussions and decisions regarding the future of America's renewable energy industry and the rural producers who supply it," Thune said. "South Dakotans know first-hand the potential that alternative energy holds, and our state is leading the way in renewable energy production and research. I plan on drawing from the expertise, input and direction of South Dakota's farmers and alternative energy producers as I work on this subcommittee to further the exploration and use of home-grown renewable fuels so Americans can become less dependent on foreign sources of energy."

Senator Thune was also selected to serve on the Subcommittee on Production, Income Protection and Price Support, and the Subcommittee on Domestic and Foreign Marketing, Inspection, and Plant and Animal Health. One of the Senate Agriculture Committee's chief objectives this year will be writing the 2007 Farm Bill.

Information on Senator Thune's Subcommittee Assignments:

Subcommittee on Energy, Science and Technology
Jurisdiction: Legislation and oversight involving renewable energy production and energy efficiency improvement on farms and ranches and in rural communities; food and agricultural research, education, economics and extension; innovation in the use of agricultural commodities and materials.

Subcommittee on Production, Income Protection and Price Support
Jurisdiction: Legislation and oversight involving the production of agricultural crops, commodities and products; farm and ranch income protection and assistance; commodity price support programs; insurance and risk protection; fresh water food production.

Subcommittee on Domestic and Foreign Marketing, Inspection, and Plant and Animal Health
Jurisdiction: Legislation and oversight involving agricultural trade; foreign market development; domestic marketing and product promotion; marketing orders and regulation of agricultural markets and animal welfare; inspection and certification of plants, animals and products; plant and animal diseases and health protection.