Austin City Council Member Dave Hagen is getting deeply involved in city policy for someone who just joined the council this year.

Hagen was appointed to the National League of Cities 2015 Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Advocacy Committee. The committee develops the NLC’s federal policy positions on environmental and energy issues, including air quality, waste management, water quality, energy policy and more.

“It’s an honor,” Hagen said. “I’ve always been an advocate of the outdoors.”

However, he still needs approval from the Austin City Council, as it will cost an annual fee.

Hagen will be involved with several committee meetings and will travel to Washington, D.C., later this year to participate in a conference — if the city says “yes.” He was elected to the council last November.