MILWAUKEE — Sen. Tammy Baldwin has been appointed to serve on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

The committee oversees energy production and technology issues. It's also responsible for stewardship of public lands and forests.

The assignment builds on the Wisconsin Democrat's experience as a congresswoman. From 2005 to 2013 she served on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Baldwin says she hopes to use the position to give Wisconsin a voice in the climate-change debate. She says global climate change is real, and the only question is how the nation will respond to it.

In addition to her new assignment the first-term senator will continue to serve on Senate committees dealing with the budget; health and education; homeland security; and aging.