Sen. Don Nickles (R-OK), a strong advocate of the oil and natural gas industry, announced last Tuesday that he will retire from the Senate after 24 years of service when his current term ends in late 2004.

As a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee for much of his Senate tenure, Nickles said in his announcement that he was “eager” to see Congress pass comprehensive energy legislation before he retires, according to Nickles spokeswoman Rachel Oliphant. He also said the energy package being negotiated in the House-Senate conference committee now was the best he’s ever seen.

Asked why the senator was retiring, Oliphant said Nickles has indicated he “never wanted to be a lifer in the Senate,” and he wants to work in the private sector. Nickles has spent much of his career in public life, serving in the Oklahoma state Senate for two years prior to coming to Capitol Hill.

Nickles’ departure will open up some key committee spots in the Senate — chairman of the Budget Committee, and member seats on the Senate Finance Committee and Energy Committee.

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