White House deletes thousands of web pages about energy conservation as heatwave slams US
The Department of Energy removed approximately 6,000 web pages concerning energy conservation from its website during an intense heatwave affecting multiple U.S. regions. The removals occurred shortly after Republican officials, including Senators Ted Cruz and Nikki Haley and Representative Nancy Mace, publicly objected to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's recommendation that residents set air conditioning thermostats to 78 degrees to reduce strain on the electrical grid.
The deleted content encompassed pages on water conservation, building insulation, and renewable energy initiatives beyond thermostat guidance. The thermostat recommendation aligns with longstanding Department of Energy policy and resembles guidance previously issued by Republican state governors during comparable heat emergencies. New York City experienced record temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the period, creating significant electrical infrastructure demand and public health considerations.
- Department of Energy deleted ~6,000 conservation pages following Republican criticism of NYC mayor's AC thermostat request during extreme heatwave
- The 78-degree setting matched official DoE policy and similar guidance Republican governors issued during prior heat emergencies
- Deletions included water conservation, insulation, and solar program pages; records show temperatures exceeded 100°F straining electrical grids