Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Energy Subcommittee Chairman Bobby L. Rush (D-IL), and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chair Diana DeGette (D-CO) today announced the Committee will hold two fully remote subcommittee hearings on Wednesday, March 24, on the nation’s energy sector, including examining the recent Texas power crisis and the importance of making the nation’s electric grid more resilient in the wake of that crisis.
The Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee will hold its hearing at 11:30 a.m. (EDT) on the extreme weather event last month that left Texas with sustained power outages and contaminated drinking water, threatening the health and safety of millions of Americans. The hearing, entitled, “Power Struggle: Examining the 2021 Texas Grid Failure," is part of the Committee’s ongoing investigation into the preparedness for and the response to the severe Texas winter weather. The hearing will examine factors that contributed to the devastating power crisis, including policy failures and leadership challenges, as well as solutions moving forward.
The Energy Subcommittee will hold its hearing at 2 p.m. (EDT) on the Climate Leadership and Environmental Action for our Nation’s (CLEAN) Future Act, which was introduced earlier this month. The legislative hearing will examine the CLEAN Future Act’s provisions on grid modernization, resilience, and energy efficiency, focusing on how they relate to the recent Texas power crisis. The hearing is entitled, “The CLEAN Future Act: Powering a Resilient and Prosperous America."
“The Texas power crisis left Texans without power, food, water, and medicine, threatening the lives and homes of millions. We must examine the failures that led to the crisis, as well as what lessons must be learned to prevent history from repeating itself," said Pallone, Rush and DeGette. “It’s clear that in many parts of the country our electric grid is simply not resilient enough to withstand extreme weather - something we must change if we are going to successfully navigate a rapidly changing climate. We look forward to discussing both the specific crisis in Texas and the ways the CLEAN Future Act works to modernize our power sector to ensure it can meet our clean energy goals and adapt to our changing climate."
Both hearings will be conducted remotely via Cisco Webex video conferencing. Members of the public may view the hearing via live webcast accessible on the Energy and Commerce Committee’s website. Please note the webcast will not be available until the hearing begins.
Information for the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing, including the Committee Memorandum, witness list, testimony, legislation, and a live webcast will be posted HERE as they become available.
Information for the Energy Subcommittee hearing, including the Committee Memorandum, witness list, testimony, legislation, and a live webcast will be posted HERE as they become available.
