CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Governor and incoming U.S. Senator Jim Justice will serve on three Senate committees when his six-year term begins.
Justice has been appointed to the committee on Energy and Natural Resources, the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, as well as the Aging Committee. Justice was appointed to the committees by Senate Republican Leader-Elect John Thune, as an announcement came from Justice’s social media accounts last Friday.
Justice, who was asked about the appointments in a media briefing Thursday, said he was pleased Thune’s decision, and he’s ready to bring knowledge to the committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
“I think that they are home run picks for me,” Justice said. “Without any question, I really need to be on the energy committee, that’s all there is to it. I’ve got a wealth of knowledge in regard to energy.”
Justice says he’s been in communication with President-elect Donald Trump, and they both agree on the level of importance of energy in America..
“I would tell you, as I’ve told President Trump over and over and we agree 1,000% in this, that energy is everything,” Justice said. “If you solve the energy delemnia, it is everything. It solves inflation, it drives manufacturing here, it does so many things it’s off the charts.”
Justice also says revenue needs raised in America, and energy can help with that moving forward.
“We’ve got to raise revenue in this great country, and energy is absolutely the very thing that will drive revenue in our way because we are sitting on a wealth of energy beyond anybody’s imagination,” Justice said.
Co-Founder and CEO of Diversified Energy Rusty Hutson says Justice’s work with energy companies in West Virginia will help him on the committee representing the nation.
“Governor (Jim) Justice has been an energy leader in West Virginia and a strong oil and gas industry supporter, Hutson said. “He (Justice) understands that we are energizing our country, providing a desperately needed energy source, and providing our national security.”
Angel Moore, the executive director of Appalachian Natural Gas Operators Coalition (ANGOC), said in a statement that they’re excited to continue working with Justice.
“Our members look forward to continuing our work with Governor Jim Justice as he transitions to the U.S. Senate,” Moore said. “Governor Justice knows that to achieve energy independence as a nation, we must support American energy sources, create American jobs, and promote energy efficiency. Appalachian Natural Gas Operators Coalition members provide safe and affordable energy to our nation and thousands of jobs.”
Justice will be sworn in as a U.S. Senator on January 13.