On Friday, US President Joe Biden said that his administration would close all coal-fired power plants in the country. According to reports, Biden made the pretty audacious request in his speech to a crowd during a rally in California. According to President Biden, coal power facilities are too expensive to run, therefore “we’re going to be shutting these plants down all across America” to switch to wind energy.
“I was in Massachusetts about a month ago on the site of the largest old coal plant in America. Guess what? It cost them too much money. They can’t count. No one is building new coal plants because they can’t rely on them. Even if they have all the coal guaranteed for the rest of the existence of the plant,” said Biden.
The Democrat leader also said that his party would concentrate on wind and solar energy, which would use the same transmission infrastructure as coal-fired electricity.
“So it’s going to become a wind generation. And all they’re doing is it’s going to save them a hell of a lot of money and using the same transmission line that they transmitted the coal-fired electric on, we’re going to be shutting these plants down all across America and having wind and solar power.”
In addition, Biden promised that his administration would provide families with all the support they need to adapt to the changing technological landscape.
“Also providing tax credits to help families buy energy-efficient appliances, whether it’s your refrigerator or your coffee maker, for solar panels on your home, weatherize your home, things that save an average, experts say, a minimum of $500 a year for the average family.”
Biden criticized the coal industry in his lead-up to the US Presidential race
In an attack on the Coal Industry Biden said “Anybody who can go down 300 to 3,000 feet in a mine can sure as hell learn to program as well…Give me a break! Anybody who can throw coal into a furnace can learn how to program, for god’s sake!” Before the US Presidential election, Biden had suggested that coal miners learn to code.
Three days until the midterm elections, the Republicans might try to capitalize on Biden’s remarks. Biden is reportedly applauding the layoffs of coal miners, according to the Republican National Committee. In the upcoming days, it is only likely that the hits will rise.