Environmental groups and renewable-energy advocates are hailing the ascendancy of Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) to the helm of the Energy and Commerce Committee. House Democrats voted 137-122 on Nov. 20 to replace long-time Chairman John Dingell (D-Mich.), a staunch auto-industry ally, with Waxman. “Greens” see Waxman as friendlier than Dingell on issues such as climate change.
Renewable-energy groups hope that, with Waxman as chairman, they can make more headway on incentives for alternative power sources. Greg Wetstone, American Wind Energy Association senior director of government and public affairs, says his group looks forward to securing, “at last, a long-term national commitment to clean, renewable electricity from wind and solar power.”
