Tom Tanton, Director of Science and Technology Assessment for the Energy & Environment Legal Institute, will testify on July 24th in front of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Energy and Power as part of their hearing on “Laboratories of Democracy: The Economic Impacts of State Energy Policies.”  According to a Subcommittee press release, the “hearing will examine the economic effects of state energy policies as well as the impact of federal polices on states. Energy production is the primary factor driving growth in states with the fastest-growing economies where favorable polices have contributed to this success. On the contrary, states that have blocked energy development continue to struggle. Members and witnesses will explore which polices are creating economic growth and are benefiting the greatest number of people within a state.”

Tanton has 40 years of direct and responsible experience in energy technology and legislative interface, having been central to many of the critical legislative changes that enable technology choice and economic development at the state and federal level. Mr. Tanton is a strong proponent of free market environmentalism and consumer choice, and frequently publishes and speaks against alarmist and reactionary policies and government failures.

Until 2000, Tanton was the Principal Policy Advisor with the California Energy Commission (CEC) in Sacramento, California.