Biden Declares State of Emergency to Address Electricity Shortage

U.S. President Joe Biden has declared a state of emergency in the United States due to a potential shortage in electricity generation capacity. Biden stated that "multiple factors" threaten the U.S. ability to produce the electricity it needs. A statement from the White House quoted Biden as saying, "I announced a state of emergency due to threats to the availability of adequate electricity generation to meet consumer demand." The president also waived import duties for two years on "certain solar panels and components" imported from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Earlier, residents in several states in the West and Midwest warned of potential power outages this summer due to unusually high temperatures and drought.