joe biden
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Biden administration considers price support for US minerals to counter China
The Biden administration is contemplating federal price supports for U.S. critical minerals projects to counter the impact of cheap Chinese imports that threaten domestic production.
In short:
- The Energy Department may establish a price floor for U.S.-produced critical minerals to secure domestic supply chains.
- Chinese oversupply has caused mineral prices to plummet, endangering U.S. projects that received Biden administration grants.
- The proposal seeks to protect U.S. projects from foreign market manipulation, potentially requiring Congressional approval.
Key quote:
“If we move forward on anything like this, the intent would be to give the nudge that is needed to set off the flywheel, versus create a permanent subsidy or cushion for a particular sector or company going forward.”
— Anonymous Energy Department official
Why this matters:
China’s dominance in the critical minerals market threatens the U.S.’s ability to produce essential materials for clean energy technologies. Ensuring a stable domestic supply chain is vital for national security and the clean energy transition.
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Upper-income households capture most Biden energy tax credits
A significant portion of tax credits aimed at promoting energy efficiency under Biden’s administration is disproportionately benefiting wealthier households, leaving lower-income families with minimal support.
In short:
- The top 25% of households received 66% of the $5.5 billion in energy efficiency tax credits in 2023.
- Lower-income families, earning less than $25,000, received just $32 million, highlighting a significant disparity.
- Critics argue this imbalance undermines efforts to make climate policy more equitable and could hurt public support.
Key quote:
“These tax credits don’t increase the affordability for families making over $500,000. They can already afford it. And they get lower energy prices.”
— Mark Wolfe, executive director of the National Energy Assistance Directors Association
Why this matters:
The unequal distribution of tax credits could erode public confidence in climate policies designed to reduce carbon emissions, making it harder to achieve widespread support for future initiatives.
Related: Millions of households receive energy tax credits for upgrades
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Biden's funding helps modernize steel plant tied to JD Vance's family
The Biden administration's $500 million grant to upgrade a steel plant in JD Vance's hometown aims to reduce pollution but faces skepticism among locals.
In short:
- The grant will help the Cleveland-Cliffs plant in Middletown, Ohio, transition from coal to cleaner hydrogen and natural gas.
- Despite the investment, many residents are unaware of the grant or attribute it to figures like JD Vance or Trump.
- The plant's future is uncertain if Trump and Vance, who oppose Biden's climate policies, win in 2024.
Key quote:
“I haven’t heard anything about Trump continuing this project. I was thinking he’d probably cancel this project.”
— Gary Combs, a former Armco worker
Why this matters:
Transforming one of the dirtiest steel plants into one of the cleanest could serve as a model for the nation's industrial future, but political divisions may undermine these efforts.
Related EHN coverage:
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Biden faces challenges in curbing US oil production
Despite Joe Biden's campaign promises to end drilling on federal lands, the U.S. is now producing more oil than any country ever has, revealing the difficulty of halting oil production.
In short:
- The Biden administration has approved more drilling permits on federal lands than the Trump administration.
- High gas prices and legal challenges have pressured Biden to support increased oil production.
- Biden’s climate goals face political and market constraints, making it difficult to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Key quote:
“The fact is that President Biden has followed the rule of law in this country, and the rule of law says that if you have already given a lease to a fossil fuel company, you have to give a permit.”
— Leah Stokes, associate professor of environmental politics at the University of California, Santa Barbara
Why this matters:
U.S. oil production's continued growth underscores the challenge of balancing economic needs with climate goals, impacting global energy markets and environmental policies. Any future administration will face similar obstacles in reducing fossil fuel dependency.
Related EHN coverage:
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Wind companies invest $93M in mid-Atlantic despite looming Trump opposition
The offshore wind industry showed resilience by committing $93 million in bids for mid-Atlantic projects, undeterred by the potential return of Trump to the White House.
In short:
- The Biden administration secured $93 million in bids for offshore wind projects off Delaware, Maryland and Virginia despite industry challenges and political uncertainty.
- Trump has vowed to target the offshore wind industry if reelected, but developers appear confident in the sector's long-term prospects.
- The Interior Department auction results reflect growing state-level commitments to offshore wind, with major projects planned for the mid-Atlantic.
Key quote:
“Today’s lease sale reflects the forward momentum we are seeing to power millions of American homes with clean energy and create good-paying, climate jobs.”
— Ali Zaidi, White House climate adviser
Why this matters:
The auction's success suggests continued confidence in offshore wind development, even as political threats and economic challenges loom. The projects are significant for meeting renewable energy targets and mitigating climate change.
Related: Trump's return could severely impact Biden's wind power initiatives
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Biden proposes Supreme Court term limits and ethics code
President Biden advocates for term limits and a binding ethics code for Supreme Court justices to address concerns about the court's conservative majority impacting environmental protections.
In short:
- Biden's proposal aims to curb the Supreme Court's conservative influence by instituting 18-year term limits and an ethics code.
- Environmental groups support the move, citing the court's recent decisions undermining environmental regulations.
- The plan includes a constitutional amendment to eliminate immunity for crimes committed by former presidents while in office.
Key quote:
“What is happening now is not normal, and it undermines the public’s confidence in the court’s decisions, including those impacting personal freedoms. We now stand in a breach.”
— President Joe Biden
Why this matters:
Changes to the Supreme Court could shift its approach to environmental regulations and restore public trust in its impartiality. This move seeks to prevent a single presidency from significantly altering the court's composition for generations.
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Biden's heat protection rule leaves public sector workers at risk
A loophole in a 1972 law prevents about 7.9 million public-sector workers from receiving OSHA's proposed heat protections.
In short:
- Congress passed a law in 1972 excluding public workers from OSHA protections, leaving millions vulnerable to workplace injuries and heat-related risks.
- OSHA's new heat rule mandates private employers provide water and rest breaks, but public workers in 23 states remain unprotected.
- Public-sector workers have nearly double the injury rate of private-sector workers, highlighting the need for comprehensive safety regulations.
Key quote:
"If they aren’t covered by OSHA, they have no right to a safe workplace. If someone gets hurt or killed, there is no investigation, no citation, no lessons learned."
— Jordan Barab, former OSHA deputy assistant secretary
Why this matters:
The exclusion of public workers from OSHA protections can result in higher injury rates and potential fatalities, especially in extreme heat. Ensuring all workers are protected can prevent unnecessary deaths and injuries.
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