- You know, if there's one thingthat makes Americans sit up
and take notice,
it's when gas pricesand energy costs go up.
Critics of PresidentBiden's plan to remake
America's energy portfolio,say open your wallets
and get ready to pay even more.
This aggressive energypolicy targets fossil fuels,
with the goal of making America100% carbon pollution free
over the next 15 years.
It includes plans for more windmills,
billions to build newenergy efficient housing,
and a national networkof charging stations
to encourage more Americansto buy electric vehicles.
- We're gonna reduce electric consumption
and save hundreds ofthousands of dollars a year
in energy costs in the process.
- But his critics don't buy it.
- What the Biden plan would do,
what actually remakethe entire United States
in the image of California or Europe.
And for those that don'tlive in those areas,
well, here's what it looks like.
In California, thanks to therenewable energy mandates
and other regulations that are in place,
Californians often pay up to twice as much
to heat their homes, to cool their homes,
and to fill up their vehicles.
And we see this playingout across Europe as well.
- Add to that cities likeSan Francisco, Denver,
and New York proposing or passing measures
banning the use of fossil fuelin new homes and buildings.
In response, a number ofstates are outlawing bans
over fear they woulddrive up energy bills,
require expensive appliance conversions,
and leave Americanswithout any alternative
during major outages likewe saw in Texas last winter.
While seen as an energysavior, electric vehicles
remain more expensive thantheir gas drinking cousins,
and have been slow to take off in the US.
- The future of the autoindustry is electric.
There's no turning back.
- Along with more charging stations,
Biden wants taxpayers to spend174 billion on incentives
for people to buy electric,
like Ford's new F-150 lightning.
- This sucker's quick.
- But these landmarkproposals could make America
even more dependent on China.
In 2019, the communist regimeprovided the US with 80%
of its rare earth imports, elements needed
to manufacture batteries, windturbines, and solar panels.
In fact of the 35 minerals deemed critical
by the Departments ofDefense and Interior,
China is the top global supplier for 23.
- Of course we have a regulatory structure
that makes it very difficult sometimes
for companies to actuallyaccess those materials.
That is a very real concern,and political leaders
in both parties shouldbe working to ensure
that we can access those minerals
that we have been blessed with.
- In testimony to Congress, Simon Morres,
with Benchmark Mineral Intelligence,
likened global batterysupply to an arms race.
What Western economies areonly beginning to recognize,
he tweets, is that in the electric vehicle
and battery supply chain,they are the developing nation
and China is the developed nation.
Today, China boast 107 battery factories
with 53 actively producing.
The US has nine and just three are active.
Biden has reversed many
of president Trump's energy decisions,
like canceling the Keystone pipeline,
rejoining the Paris Climate Accord.
And most recently, triedsuspending oil leases
in Alaska's Arctic refuge,
something Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan
called a naked political moveby the Biden administration
to pay off its extremeenvironmental allies.
Now Biden must follow Trump's lead
in trying to strengthen energysupply chains here at home.
- We've got to take over the world market,
that's what this is about,being the best in the world
and then be exporting.
- He's directed the energydepartment to light a fire
on battery research,manufacturing, and processing.
- This is going to includenew rules to ensure
that companies thatdevelop new products based
on federal R&D funding, manufacturethose products in the US
so what is invented inAmerica can be made in America
by American workers.
- But as the president worksto boost new energy sources,
many Americans are focused on sustaining
what they use today,
an issue amplified whenthe colonial pipeline hack
left five Southern stateswith empty gas stations
and long lines.
A poll by the Convention ofStates and Trafalgar Group
finds 80% of Republicans,45% of Democrats,
and 57% of independentvoters say pipelines
are an important part ofAmerican infrastructure.
And the Pew Research Centerfinds nearly two thirds
of adults prefer a mix of energy sources
that includes oil, naturalgas, and renewables.
Transforming the wayAmericans think about, use,
and interact with energy sources
is one of the many heavylifts Biden is attempting
during his first year.
- This is a case where conscience
and convenience cross paths.
Where dealing with thisexistential threat to the planet
and increasing our economicgrowth and prosperity
are one in the same.
- But he faces many hurdles and critics
who predict his plans will hit homeowners
and businesses where ithurts: in their pockets.
Jennifer Wishon, CBN News.
