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1. New Hanover County Commissioner Berger
appointed to national policy committee
WASHINGTON, D.C. – New Hanover County Commissioner Brian Berger recently was appointed to the
National Association of Counties’ (NACo) Environment, Energy and Land Use Steering Committee where
he will help shape federal policies and funding priorities affecting local government.
The committee is responsible for NACo policy development on all matters pertaining to air, water, and
noise pollution control; solid and hazardous waste management and disposal; the preservation and
proper utilization of water resources; energy; and the use of land resources.
NACo’s steering committees annually review and make recommendations to the NACo Board of Directors
on public policy issues and federal legislation. The policy development process initiated by the steering
committees leads to the publication of the American County Platform, which NACo uses to deliver the
county government message to the administration, Congress, and the American people.
This is Commissioner Berger’s first appointment to a national level policy committee representing county
governments in the United States, at a time when the federal administration is heavily engaged in
developing policies impacting environmental and energy issues facing counties. NACo committees
advocate policy goals benefiting counties and citizens, inform and educate elected officials and regulators
on the benefits and consequences of federal policies affecting counties, and help preserve local autonomy
critical to innovation and efficiency in local government.
“It is an honor to be appointed to serve as a member of NACo’s Environment, Energy and Land Use
Committee,” Berger said. “Many of the most significant and challenging policy discussions taking place
today and for the foreseeable future, resulting in policy decisions critical to the nation’s future, are
directly related to national and local environmental and energy policy. New Hanover County is blessed to
be a coastal county with the Cape Fear River running through downtown Wilmington, creeks and other
natural resources. Protecting these abundant natural assets for future generations, and the public health,
economic opportunities and quality of life of current residents, contributes added significance to the
policy responsibilities of the Environment, Energy and Land Use Committee.”
-MORE-
25 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Suite 500 • Washington, DC 20001 •  202.393.6226 • www.naco.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 13, 2011
CONTACT: Jim Philipps
202.942.4220
jphilipps@naco.org

2. Berger Appointed to Policy Committee
Page 2 of 2
Commissioner Berger serves as a member of several state-level policy committees under the auspices of
the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC). He is a member of the NCACC Health
& Human Services, Justice and Public Safety, and Intergovernmental Relations Steering Committees
advocating policies benefiting counties, as a representative of New Hanover County and its citizens.
Berger became involved in the policy advocacy efforts of N.C. counties in Raleigh after volunteering to
join the effort to reform North Carolina’s annexation laws this past year. Annexation Reform was a
priority goal of the Intergovernmental Relations Steering Committee. Local autonomy and curtailing
unfunded mandates placed on counties was included in the Strategic Planning conducted by New
Hanover County government earlier this year.
“It is important that counties have a strong voice in Washington D.C., as well as Raleigh, and this is best
accomplished through the policy development and advocacy efforts of a respected national organization
such as NACo.”
More information about NACo and the American County Platform is available at www.naco.org.
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The National Association of Counties (NACo) is the only national organization that represents county governments in the United
States. Founded in 1935, NACo provides essential services to the nation’s 3,068 counties. NACo advances issues with a unified
voice before the federal government, improves the public's understanding of county government, assists counties in finding and
sharing innovative solutions through education and research, and provides value-added services to save counties and taxpayers
money. For more information about NACo, visit www.naco.org.