The Biden administration announced on November 17 that it is allocating $169 million for nine projects to “accelerate electric heat pump manufacturing at 15 sites across the country.”
Funding for the projects comes from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Defense Production Act.
The Cold War-era Defense Production Act enables the president to support an industry for the advancement of national security, according to The Hill.
According to the Biden administration, climate change is a national crisis.
Senior Advisor to the President for Clean Energy Innovation and Implementation John Podesta said in a statement on Friday, “Today’s Defense Production Act funds for heat pump manufacturing show that President Biden is treating climate change as the crisis it is. These awards will grow domestic manufacturing, create good-paying jobs, and boost American competitiveness in industries of the future.”
Biden’s National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi shared similar sentiments: “The President is using his wartime emergency powers under the Defense Production Act to turbocharge U.S. manufacturing of clean technologies and strengthen our energy security.”
“This acceleration of electric heat pump manufacturing also shows how President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is advancing American innovation, cutting energy bills for hardworking families, and tackling the climate crisis – a win, win for our economy, our workers, and our planet,” Zaidi added.
American Gas Association President and CEO Karen Harbert told Fox News Digital in a statement that she is “deeply disappointed” in the Biden administration’s move.
“We are deeply disappointed to see the Defense Production Act, which is intended as a vital tool for advancing national security against serious outside threats, being used as an instrument to advance a policy agenda contradictory to our nation’s strong energy position,” she said.
Last month, Biden said climate change is an “existential threat.”
Biden exclaimed, “I came to office determined to get this country up again so we could face the existential threat of climate and still grow! To fundamentally change our economy!”
Climate change is the “only existential threat to humanity,” he asserted. “If we don’t get below these numbers – the whole world is changing. Our kids are gonna be and our grandkids are gonna be… anyway. I can’t even think about it.”
Biden says climate change is "the only existential threat to humanity":
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) October 13, 2023
"Our kids are gonna be and our grandkids are gonna be… anyway…" pic.twitter.com/2Da3p5uipQ
