An Analysis of Biden’s Climate Plan
For the Joe Biden administration, the environmental issue has been one of the most problematic and entangled, despite being at the forefront of his campaign.
Photo: TW-JoeBiden
LatinAmerican Post | María Fernanda Ramírez Ramos
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Leer en español: EE.UU: Análisis del plan climático de Biden
The White House and the Democratic Party have been in constant negotiations with the congressmen, for nearly a year and a half, to advance various reforms with a wide impact. The Senate and the House have approved the " Inflation Reduction Act". It is a plan that covers the climatic, fiscal, and sanitary areas of the country. Three very sensitive issues in the current context.
The economic package will have 433,000 million dollars in investment, which will be used to carry out an environmental plan never seen before, as well as to regulate the price of medicines and energy, and ensure access to medical treatment or health services.
The plan has drawn both criticism and praise. An example of this is that in the Senate the vote was 50 vs. 51. In fact, the tiebreaker was given by Kamala Harris, the vice president. One of the most controversial issues has been the regulation of drug and energy prices. Likewise, there are questions, mostly from Republicans, about whether it will really help regulate inflation in the country, since they assure that the government should not invest in these issues and that this will only stimulate higher inflation.
We recommend you read: Why is Biden Breaking his Environmental Promises?
What about the climate plan?
This plan proposes the investment of around $370,000 million to combat climate change. The document published by Congress, focuses on 5 main points:
- Lower the price of energy for Americans: Reduce the cost to households in electricity bills and help finance technologies that reduce energy prices and emissions.
- Increase American energy security: it will invest in green energy projects, at the same time that it is intended to end dependence on China. This, is supported by an investment in clean technologies and an increase in jobs.
- Invest in the decarbonization of all sectors of the economy through federal programs that support the creation of climate solutions.
- Focus investments on disadvantaged communities.
- Support rural communities to be resilient to climate change, through investment in environmentally friendly agriculture.
The Democrats maintain that this project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030. They assure that there will be tax deductions for the stimulation of renewable energies. At first glance, everything seems positive. However, it is a 730-page document.