About

Congressman Paul Tonko is a third term member of the United States House of Representatives. He currently represents New York’s 20th Congressional District, including the cities of Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Saratoga Springs and his hometown of Amsterdam. Paul has been a champion for the middle class, job creation, economic opportunity, providing senior citizens the opportunity to retire with dignity and the mental health community throughout his career. For the 113th Congress, Paul was named as a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, the oldest standing committee in the House. First created in December of 1795, the committee has jurisdiction over national energy policy, public and mental health policy and regulation of interestate and foreign commerce, giving it the broadest jurisdiction of any authorizing committee in the House. Paul is the first upstate New York Democratic member of the committee since Leo O’Brien, who resigned the post in October 1966. Previously, Paul has served on the Science, Space and Technology Committee, Natural Resources Committee, Budget Committee and Education and Workforce Committee. He continues to fight to bring clean energy jobs to the Capital Region to ensure it maintains its status as one of the fastest growing clean technology hubs in the country. Prior to joining Congress, Paul was the President and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. Before that, he served in the New York State Assembly for 25 years, 15 of which he was the Chair of the Assembly Energy Committee. At the age of 26, Paul was the youngest person in the history of Montgomery County to be elected to the County’s Board of Supervisors, which he chaired until 1981. Paul graduated from Clarkson University with a degree in mechanical and industrial engineering. He is a lifelong resident of the city of Amsterdam, New York. How did you first get involved in the green industry? During almost 25 years in the New York State Assembly, I saw the grand potential for a serious and sustained investment in green technologies. What interests you most about being green? Going green is critical to our economy, our infrastructure and the successes of future generations. What is your biggest “green” pet peeve? The claim that any movement toward clean energy is a “job killer.” What green trend is most exciting to you or your industry? Energy efficiency.