United States: Republicans to Eliminate House Committee on Energy and Global Warming
Republican leadership has decided to abolish the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.
The Select Committee was formed in 2007 by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and has been chaired by Representative Edward Markey (D-Massachusetts) since its inception.
The committee has been influential voice on several energy fronts including: passing new federal fuel standards and efficiency measures, and contributing to the development of the American Clean Energy and Security Act -- the comprehensive energy bill which was passed by Congress in 2009. The Select Committee was also one of the government bodies that led investigations into BP's oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
The Republican leadership has vowed to reduce government spending and cut taxes, and it views the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming as launching pad for Democratic proposals and policies such as cap-and-trade legislation, which Republicans label a national energy tax.
Although disheartened by the decision, Chairman Markey stated he will carry on the committee's mandate: "I am disappointed that the Republican leadership is not prioritizing energy independence and climate change as important issues to tackle, but that will nost stop my efforts to cut carbon pollution and create American clean energy jobs."
Nathanael Baker is the Managing Editor of EnergyBoom. He has researched and reported on the issues of renewable energy, sustainability, and climate change for over two years. He has provided research to the New York Times and The Economist, as well as being published on different media outlets including, The Energy Collective.
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