AUGUSTA – Three local lawmakers were named to the newly formed Joint Select Committee on Maine’s Energy Future by legislative leadership on Thursday.

The 17-member bipartisan committee will focus on large, comprehensive energy bills that affect a variety of areas, such as transportation, natural resources and economic development.

The committee’s goal is to be as smart and efficient as possible in developing legislation to shape Maine’s energy future, according to lawmakers.

State Sen. Deb Simpson of Auburn and Reps. Mike Carey of Lewiston and Nancy Smith of Monmouth, all Democrats, were tapped for the committee.

Simpson, who also serves on the Natural Resources Committee, said Maine’s potential to develop energy sources from its environment will play a large role in the state’s future.

“Most legislative committees deal with the bills in front of them and the present situation and seldom have time to work comprehensively,” she said. “This committee gives us an opportunity to look across areas and a way to create a sustainable energy future.”

Carey agreed. He said Maine’s energy costs are higher than the national average and are crippling the state’s development.

“If we don’t figure out a way to change these trends, Maine is going to become a harder place to live,” said Carey, who also serves on the Transportation Committee.

Energy policy and the role it plays in the development of transportation systems will also be important to Lewiston, he said.

“Lewiston is already a regional center and the ways in which we grow our transportation infrastructure as a state will matter in terms of our ability to develop locally,” Carey said.

Smith, a professional forester and House chairwoman of the Business, Research and Economic Development Committee, said she looks forward to working on energy policy holistically.

“With any complex issue, you can’t just grab one prong and pursue that until you are completely done before you start on the next; you have to be pursuing all of them,” she said.

House Majority Leader John Piotti, D-Unity, said members were selected based on their abilities to think broadly and draw on relevant experience.

“They are all people who have the capacity to think big,” he said. “We really see this as a critical challenge area, but mostly as a huge area of opportunity for Maine.”

The committee will only consider a few large, comprehensive bills over the entire session and it is likely will be a few weeks before it meets for the first time, he said.

For more information about committee membership, visit http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/jtcomlst.htm