Penn State Altoona
03/04/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 03/04/2026 08:12
Penn State Altoona professor testifies before U.S. House committee
Carolyn Mahan, professor of biology and environmental studies at Penn State Altoona, gave testimony to the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources on Feb. 26 in Washington, D.C. Invited by the congressional staff, Mahan provided her professional input on the management of electrical transmission line rights-of-way on federal lands.
Credit: U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_THREvEwl0w
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March 4, 2026
WASHINGTON - Carolyn Mahan, professor of biology and environmental studies at Penn State Altoona, gave testimony to the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources on Feb. 26 in Washington, D.C.
Invited by the congressional staff, Mahan provided her professional input on the management of electrical transmission line rights-of-way on federal lands.
Her testimony highlighted the process of integrated vegetation management that can be used to create early successional native plant communities under transmission lines. These ecological communities support biodiversity while not interfering with the safe and reliable transmission of energy. In addition, over time, this approach to management can save money and reduce the effects of invasive species.
Mahan says her testimony could help get senate approval to better manage rights-of-way on federal lands.
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Marissa Carney
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