Sanford City Councilman Sam Gaskins was appointed to the National League of Cities 2018 Energy, Environment and Natural Resources federal advocacy committee Monday — a position that puts Sanford at the table for developing federal policies on issues involving air quality, water quality, energy policy, national wetlands policy, noise control and solid and hazardous waste management.
Gaskins’ appointment comes at a time when Sanford and Lee County are at the heart of debates hydraulic fracturing for natural gas and the disposal of coal ash.
“My presence on the committee provides Sanford a strong voice and the opportunity to influence national policy,” Gaskins told The Rant Monday. “The NLC is the representative of America’s cities in Washington, D.C., and works directly with members of Congress in developing the regulations for the industries and protections for our environment.”
Gaskins is a chemistry professor at Guilford Technical Community College in Jamestown, a position he has held since 1999. Before moving to academia, he retired after more than two decades as a manufacturing manager for Pfizer/Coty.
Always worried about the “bigger” picture, rather than starting at home. There are still many places in Sanford/Lee County that have sub-standard water quality.