Washington, D.C.-House Energy and Commerce Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), along with Subcommittee on Energy Republican Leader Fred Upton (R-MI), Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Republican Leader Morgan Griffith (R-VA), sent a letter to Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) insisting that he expand the scope of the upcoming hearing on the recent emergency situation in Texas to also address emergency situations that have affected other states, such as California, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.
In their letter to Chairman Pallone, the Republican Energy and Commerce Leaders wrote:
“We saw that the Committee has noticed upcoming legislative and oversight hearings, in addition to previous letters, concerning the emergency situation in Texas last month. We ask that you broaden the scope of these upcoming activities to ensure that we work towards solutions, and not continue just making political points. For example, Members should hear a variety of perspectives from witnesses around the country. It is imperative that we address the energy emergency events that millions of Americans have had to face - not only in Texas, but in California, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. The Committee has worked in a bipartisan way many times previously and we want to continue that working relationship to produce the best results for the American people."
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“The record winter power demand and freezing conditions seen throughout Texas and the south-central U.S. in February remain extremely rare events; however, other states, like California, regularly experience energy failures. Indeed, California residents experience blackouts on an ongoing, annual basis as the State fails to manage summer electricity demand and wildfire risks."
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“According to at least one California utility, California residents could face up to 10 years of widespread, precautionary power shutoffs. Yet the Committee under your leadership has not sent letters or convened hearings since last summer on California’s challenges. Congressional oversight on the causes of and the solutions to these California shutoffs is needed."
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“The Energy and Commerce Committee should be asking questions of a broad set of stakeholders from across the country to gather facts and explore ways to address these complex issues. We urge you to do just that - examine these energy emergency situations more broadly so that the people of Texas, California, and other impacted states can get answers - and do so in the great tradition of bipartisanship we all appreciate and value on the Energy and Commerce Committee."
