Markey Gets Energy Subcommittee Chair

Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass), a veteran lawmaker who has fought against nuclear power and advocated for higher fuel-efficiency standards in automobiles, will take over the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment, according to a report today in the Boston Globe.

Markey, who currently heads the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, will replace Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Va), who will switch seats with his Massachusetts counterpart to oversee the telecommunications and internet subcommittee, according to the report. As head of the telecommunications subcommittee, Markey has been a strong proponent of net neutrality -- the notion that carriers cannot impede or slow Internet traffic -- and has fought against media consolidation.

Markey's office declined to confirmed the report but sources close to Markey said a formal announcement on the appointment will come later today.

Markey will take over the energy subcommittee as President-elect Barack Obama has put energy policy and reforms at the center of his goal to create 3 million new jobs in an ambitious public works plan. Obama has stressed the need for alternative forms of energy and making homes and buildings more energy efficient.

By Cecilia Kang  |  January 8, 2009; 12:20 PM ET  | Category:  Cecilia Kang
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