Steve Milloy, in his article for The Hill, presents a critical analysis of President Biden’s climate plan, questioning its practicality and potential impact on the US economy. Milloy begins by discussing the revelations from this year’s United Nations Climate Week, particularly focusing on China’s stance on fossil fuels and emissions.
First, China finally dropped its “net zero” pose. The world’s largest emitter had promised to reach net zero by 2060. But its climate envoy now says that “completely phasing out fossil fuel is unrealistic” because “fossil fuels are essential to maintain grid stability and energy security given the sometimes unreliable nature of renewables.
Milloy contrasts China’s practical approach with the Biden administration’s ambitious climate policies, suggesting that the US is on a path to economic self-sabotage. He points out the administration’s efforts to phase out coal and gas plants and promote the adoption of electric vehicles without ensuring grid stability.
The Biden administration, on the other hand, is determined to cripple the U.S. It is engaged in simultaneous EPA rulemakings to zero out coal and gas plants, and to mandate the adoption of electric vehicles, even if the grid will not be able to sustain so many of them.
The author also highlights the US’s dependency on China for critical minerals necessary for electric vehicles and solar panels, questioning the wisdom of this economic reliance on a geopolitical rival.
We also learned from the UN event that the Biden administration has given up hope of trying to be independent of China with respect to electric vehicles and solar panels. A top Biden administration official told Bloomberg News that we “won’t be able to cut China out of the critical minerals supply chain”, even as Washington seeks to diversify its sources of the ingredients that go into everything from electric vehicle” for electric vehicle batteries and solar panels.
In conclusion, Milloy’s article raises significant questions about the feasibility and strategic soundness of the Biden administration’s climate policies. He encourages a critical evaluation of these policies, considering their economic implications and the realistic assessment of global emission reduction efforts.
