House Republican Press Release

July 7, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. Williams Appointed to Energy Scarcity and Sustainability Task Force

Panel to Consider State Responses to Oil, Natural Gas Shortages; Steep Price Increases, Supply Disruptions

State Representative Sean Williams has been appointed to the Task Force to Study Energy Scarcity and Sustainability by House Republican Leader Lawrence F. Cafero Jr., R-142^nd District.

The task force, which was established under legislation enacted during the 2008 legislative session, will conduct scenario planning for long-term petroleum and natural gas scarcity, steep price increases and supply disruptions. The task force will submit its report to the state legislature’s Energy & Technology Committee on or before January 1, 2009.

“The Task Force to Study Energy Scarcity and Sustainability will be developing strategies for dealing with high oil and natural gas shortages as well as sharp price increases for those essential commodities. Those plans need to be in place if energy emergencies that could have serious consequences for the people of Connecticut should arise in the near future. As the House Ranking Member on the Energy & Technology Committee, Representative Williams was a natural choice to serve on this critical task force and I was pleased to appoint him,” Representative Cafero said.

“High gasoline, natural gas and electricity prices have been stretching family budgets to the breaking point for more than a year now,” said Representative Williams, R-68^th District. “With the winter heating season only a few months away, and heating oil prices likely to approach $5 a gallon, it is critical that we prepare effective plans to ensure seniors and disabled people on fixed incomes, as well as middle class and working families, can get through cold New England winters without having to endure serious hardship. I look forward to working with the other members of the task force to devise strategies that will ensure Connecticut is prepared to meet those threats to the physical and economic well-being of our people.”