Interview: U.S. Representative John D. Dingell (D-MI)

By Milo Mason U.S. Representative John D. Dingell (D-Ml), Chcdrman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the longest serving and senior member of Congress, has spearheaded much of the bestknown federal environmental protection legislation, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Air Act Amendments, the National Wilderness Act, and the Endangered Species Act. He is an avid outdoorsman. In his home state of Michigan, he has been instrumental in protecting such natural treasures as the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge and the Rouge River. Today, he is focused on addressing gjobal climate change. During the 1 10th Congress s 1st Session, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce conducted nearly twenty hearing^ on this issue and heard from dozens of witnesses, including former Vice President Al Gore. Chairman Dingell ushered an energy-efficiency bill through the House in the summer of 2007, and another, The Energy Independence and Security Act, in the fall of 2007. He is currently developing additional policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting renewable energy. NR&E sat down with him inks office on the Hu in November 2007.