Sen. Smith Will Chair Rural Development and Energy Subcommittee

(KNSI) – A U.S. Senator from Minnesota has been tapped to Chair the Rural Development and Energy Subcommittee.

Senator Tina Smith is in charge of the subcommittee, which oversees many U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development programs.

They include the Rural Housing Service and programs relating to facilities, utilities, loans, and renewable energy.

Smith will also serve on the Livestock, Dairy, Poultry, Local Food Systems, Food Safety and Security Subcommittee, Commodities, Risk Management, and Trade Subcommittee on the Senate Agriculture Committee.

When Smith first joined the Senate in 2018, she fought for a spot on the Senate Agriculture Committee, stating ag is the backbone of Minnesota’s economy.

“By traveling to rural and Tribal areas across Minnesota, I know that in order for these communities to create jobs and strengthen rural communities, we need to support infrastructure,” said Sen. Smith. “As Chair of the Rural Development and Energy Subcommittee, I will keep working to strengthen clean energy and clean energy jobs, access to affordable electricity and water systems, and advocate for funding that supports rural businesses and rural affordable housing, boosts local development, and promotes trade that benefits rural areas. I’m also looking forward to the work my colleagues and I will do on the Livestock, Dairy, Poultry, Local Food Systems, and Food and Safety Subcommittee, and the Commodities, Risk Management, and Trade Subcommittee, so that we can support farmers and producers nationwide.”

Smith wants to invest more in Greater Minnesota to expand access to broadband and better infrastructure.

Smith stated she would keep advocating for a strong Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS) program because rural areas have a huge opportunity to benefit from clean energy, including wind, solar, and other energy sources.

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