WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today led a letter with Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO) to Biden administration officials highlighting the threats that nationwide legalization of marijuana will pose to our nations’ energy grid and environmental goals.
The letter, addressed to Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Energy Information Administration Administrator Joseph DeCarolis, and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan, calls for more research, as there are “serious concerns regarding the energy and resource-intensive nature of marijuana cultivation.” Marijuana cultivation alone accounts for 1% of nationwide energy consumption and uses twice as much water as maize, soybeans, wheat, and wine grapes.
The Members cite the California Independent System Operator and Midcontinent Independent System Operator, who echo their concerns, warning that “the potential for capacity shortages and blackouts only rises” if marijuana is legalized nationwide.
“As Congress debates whether to advance marijuana legalization, the American people must have a better understanding of the environmental costs of this rapidly growing industry. If the Administration seeks to reduce emissions and protect our environment as aggressively as it has previously committed, we must have a comprehensive view of where emissions and other pollution occurs, as they will likely only grow,” state the Members.
Read more in the Washington Examiner.
Read the full letter here.
###
