Biden plans to spend $7.3 billion on clean power for rural areas.
Welcome to the Boston Post News, where we bring you the latest updates on President Joe Biden’s clean energy initiatives. In an exciting development, President Biden is set to travel to Wisconsin on Thursday to announce a significant investment of $7.3 billion in federal clean energy spending for rural communities across the country.
The Biden administration has deemed this investment as the “largest in rural electrification” since President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal in the 1930s. This funding will be distributed to 16 electric cooperatives serving millions of customers in 23 states, focusing on the development and acquisition of more than 10 gigawatts of wind, solar, nuclear, and hydropower.
During a press briefing, a senior administration official emphasized the transformative impact of this investment. The funds are expected to create over 20,000 permanent or temporary jobs, reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 43.7 million metric tons annually (the equivalent of 10 million gas-powered vehicles), and lower electricity costs for around 20% of all rural households, benefiting approximately 5 million people.
John Podesta, Biden’s top climate adviser, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, highlighting the positive outcomes it will bring to rural Americans across the nation. The investment is a step towards cleaner, more affordable, and reliable power for communities that need it the most.
One of the key recipients of this clean energy funding is Dairyland Power Cooperative, headquartered in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The cooperative, serving customers in Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Minnesota, plans to allocate its nearly $573 million award to secure more than a gigawatt of power from eight solar and wind installations. By utilizing this funding, Dairyland Power expects to reduce its electricity rates by 42% over the next decade and decrease annual greenhouse gas emissions by 3 million tons throughout the lifespan of the projects.
Brent Ridge, President and CEO of Dairyland Power, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to invest in essential clean energy resources, emphasizing the importance of continuing to make strides towards a greener future.
As President Biden continues to unveil clean energy investments through the IRA, a climate bill passed by Democrats in 2022, his efforts are met with opposition from Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. Trump has vowed to dismantle Biden’s climate policies and clean energy investments, advocating for increased oil and gas drilling.
While Biden’s focus remains on advancing sustainable energy solutions and reducing carbon emissions, the upcoming announcement in Wisconsin signifies a significant milestone in the administration’s commitment to combating climate change and promoting clean energy innovation.
