In an unexpected action Friday, President Biden invoked a Cold War-era statute to inject government cash into American production of electric heat pumps, an alternative to gas-powered household furnaces.
The Department of Energy (DOE) announced a “historic” $169 million award for nine projects across 15 locations worldwide in an effort to speed electric heat pump production in a joint statement with the White House.
Biden was able to get such a large sum of money by utilizing the 1950 Defense manufacture Act (DPA) to enhance domestic manufacture of green energy technology.
According to the American Gas Association, wartime legislation is “being used as a tool to advance a policy agenda contrary to our nation’s strong energy position.”
“Getting more American-made electric heat pumps on the market will help families and businesses save money with efficient heating and cooling technology,” said Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm. “These investments will create thousands of high-quality, good-paying manufacturing jobs and strengthen America’s energy supply chain, while creating healthier indoor spaces through home-grown clean energy technologies.”
“Today’s Defense Production Act funds for heat pump manufacturing show that President Biden is treating climate change as the crisis it is,” added John Podesta, the White House clean energy czar.