Hey, Its Hot!
Section # 211
Many years ago, I was in Milwaukee taping the PBS Antiques Roadshow, and a woman asked me where I was from. I said, ‘Texas’. She replied, ‘Wow, that’s really hot’. I said, ‘Yes, it is and, in fact, just last week I was in downtown Dallas, and two people burst into flames, and nobody paid attention’.
She was a bit shocked and agreed that’s pretty hot.
I get many calls in the summer asking how hot it is. Many times, I say over 100, which brings a similar response given by the woman in Milwaukee. I say, ‘Hey, it’s Texas… it’s supposed to be hot in the summer’. But, the weather is also very unpredictable, and sometimes, our weather just does not understand it is supposed to follow
climate models.
Note to self: climate models are often wrong, and really don’t even do a good job predicting the past. One year, it rained from mid-May to July 22…everyday!! Another year, it rained every day in August. Some years, it doesn’t rain. In 2011, we had 71 days over 100-degrees. In 2021 we had 8 days over 100-degrees. This year, as end of July 2024, we have had 7 days over 100-degrees, and, fortunately, we are about 15-inches above average rainfall.
Dallas Texas 2024 What’s the point? Data shows that Texas and the planet are generally getting warmer. Some scientists attribute this to human activity. Before we spend trillions… (see below) why don’t we do a fact-based analysis on what percentage of this climate change is attributed to man. Is it 5% or is it 75%? As on offset, how much impact on the climate is the transition to renewables … you would think you would need to have some concept of cost-benefit. The climate change “scientists” don’t have either number. This policy is insane and will destroy our economy, and our standard of living and weaken our country. There is a good reason China is not doing this… India is not doing this… and Russia is not doing this. Kamala and the Dems most decidedly will do this
How much has the Biden Administration spent on the Green New Deal?
The Biden Administration has committed to a substantial investment in green initiatives, primarily through a $1.6 trillion plan aimed at greening the economy, rebuilding infrastructure, and revitalizing manufacturing in the U.S. This plan encompasses several legislative achievements, including the American Rescue Plan, the bipartisan infrastructure law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)
Breakdown of Spending:
Total Allocation: The combined allocation from these laws is over $1.6 trillion, with approximately $1.1 trillion intended for direct spending in the form of grants, loans, and contracts
Actual Spending: Despite the large allocations, the actual federal spending has been significantly less than anticipated. As of April 2024, less than 17% of the approved funds have been spent, amounting to roughly $125 billion to $186 billion
Specific Initiatives:
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA): Announced potential funding of roughly $60 billion, with actual spending still being a fraction of the total allocated
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: $20 billion in grants announced to mobilize private capital and deliver clean energy solutions
Solar Energy Grants: $7 billion in federal grants for residential solar projects aimed at low- and middle-income communities
Challenges and Political Context
The slow pace of spending is partly due to the complex processes involved in deploying federal funds, which include formal commitments, grant approvals, and the need for detailed plans from states and businesses . Additionally, the upcoming 2024 election adds a layer of urgency and uncertainty, particularly with former President Donald Trump criticizing the green initiatives and threatening to halt spending if re-elected .
Future Projections
The Biden Administration predicts a continued surge in formal commitments through at least January 2025. However, the full real-world impact of these investments may not be felt immediately, especially in crucial voting areas, which could influence the upcoming election. In summary, while the Biden Administration has committed significant funds to green initiatives, the actual spending has been slower than expected, with a substantial portion of the allocated funds yet to be disbursed.
According to the search results, the Biden Administration has set a goal for electric vehicles (EVs) to represent 50% of new vehicle sales in the United States by 2030. Specifically, President Biden signed an Executive Order that sets "an ambitious new target to make half of all new vehicles sold in 2030 zero-emissions vehicles, including battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric, or fuel cell electric vehicles"
This goal is supported by major American automakers. Ford, GM, and Stellantis, along with the United Auto Workers (UAW), have aligned with this ambition, supporting the President's Build Back Better Agenda
The 2030 target is designed to provide time for existing manufacturing facilities to upgrade without stranding assets, while also strengthening American leadership in clean cars and trucks
This goal is part of a broader strategy to accelerate innovation and manufacturing in the auto sector, bolster the domestic supply chain, and grow auto jobs with good pay and benefits
The target is also aimed at positioning America to compete globally in the EV market, particularly against countries like China that are rapidly expanding their EV manufacturing and market share
This 50% by 2030 goal represents a significant increase from current EV sales and is part of the administration's larger efforts to address climate change and promote clean energy technologies.
This is Your Money
Note of Interest: As of now, the Biden administration has built only a handful of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations under the $7.5 billion investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed in November 2021. Reports indicate that in almost three years, nationwide, between 7 and 8 charging stations for EV cars have been constructed so far.
This number falls significantly short of the administration's goal of establishing 500,000 charging stations by 2030…
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced that the global transition to a low-carbon economy will require $78 trillion in financing through 2050. Speaking in Belém, Brazil, Yellen emphasized that achieving net-zero global carbon emissions necessitates $3 trillion annually in new capital. She highlighted the importance of international cooperation and financing, particularly for developing countries, through multilateral development banks to support sustainable growth and clean energy technologies