Energy and climate change to be focus of Capitol Hill hearings this week

Energy and climate change will get a lot of attention this week on Capitol HIll where some congressional hearings will be held.

A House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hold a hearing Tuesday on “How Federal Infrastructure Policy Could Help Mitigate and Adapt to Climate Change.”

A House Energy and Commerce subcommittee will meet Thursday to explore state, local and business commitments on climate change. Oklahoma Congressman Markwayne Mullin is a member of the full committee.

Also on Thursday, the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing where International Energy Agency administrator Fatih Birol will discuss the agency’s long-term energy outlook.

The hearings are the result of Democrats taking control of the U.S.House.

Over in the Senate, Republicans could bring up for a vote this week the Green New Deal resolution sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Republicans want an early vote to put Democrats on record and also to possibly reveal how some Democrats oppose the extreme plan.