One of US President Joe Biden’s campaign platforms would address the climate change crisis as well as the environment. A new report revealing the Biden administration’s plan towards renewable energy would meet the Biden White House’s pledge to have 80 percent renewable energy usage by 2030.
Biden’s clean energy plan could cut carbon emissions and save hundreds of thousands of lives from air pollution, according to a new report on what the Biden administration plans to do in addressing the climate crisis. Among the various options in climate policy available, a clean energy standard would result in the biggest net benefits to the US.
The clean energy standard would call for utilities to increase the amount of clean energy such as solar and wind power through incentives and penalties. The Biden administration looked to include this provision in the massive infrastructure bill, but Republicans have opposed it during compromise negotiations.
However, a report done by researchers found that this would be a very effective method to reaching the White House’s goal of having 80 percent renewable energy use by 2030. Biden previously said he hopes the electricity in the US would be fully renewable by 2030. This standard would save around 317,500 lives in a span of 30 years because of the sharp reduction of burning coal, oil, and gas.
To note, by 2030, 9,200 premature deaths would be prevented because of the provision should it be achieved. Financially, there would also be up to $1.13 trillion in health savings because of cleaner air by this time as well.
Meanwhile, Biden has all but canceled student debt amidst growing pressure from members of his own party to do so, especially during the pandemic. However, the new members of his administration may mean that Biden is warming up to the idea.
The Education Department Monday brought on five new members to the Federal Student Aid Office. Four of the five new hires were former employees of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The bureau also happens to be founded by Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, who has advocated for student debt forgiveness.