Ranking Members Waxman and Rush Request Hearing on Impact of Climate Change on Electricity Sector

WASHINGTON, DC— Today Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Henry A. Waxman and Energy and Power Subcommittee Ranking Member Bobby L. Rush sent a letter to Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton and Energy and Power Subcommittee Chairman Ed Whitfield requesting a hearing on the impact of climate change on the operation of the nation’s energy generation.  Recent reports indicate that record-breaking heat and drought conditions are forcing power plant operators to use less water to operate hydroelectric, coal-fired, and nuclear power plants, resulting in the shutdown of some nuclear plants as cooling water became either too warm or too scarce.  

 

The full text of the letter is below and is also available online here.