In a move that has sparked considerable debate, President Joe Biden has taken the unprecedented step of invoking wartime powers under the Defense Production Act (DPA) to allocate $169 million in federal funds towards the manufacturing of heat pumps. This decision, grounded in the administration’s climate change initiatives, aims to transition American homes and businesses away from natural gas appliances.
The funding, which is part of last year’s climate bill, will be distributed among nine manufacturers across the United States. Notably, companies such as Armstrong International in Michigan and Honeywell International in Louisiana are set to benefit, with plans for new factories by Mitsubishi Electric US in Kentucky and Gradient in Michigan. The administration anticipates that this investment will generate approximately 1,700 new jobs and has hinted at another round of DPA investments slated for early 2024.
Biden is doing the same as Trudeau… enforcing useless heating systems.
Biden invokes wartime powers to fund electric heaters as he cracks down on gas appliances. American Gas Association says wartime law is 'being used as an instrument to advance a policy agenda contradictory… pic.twitter.com/glq5fVtg3J
— Navy⚓Brat (@_NavyBrat) November 18, 2023
Critics, including the American Gas Association (AGA), have expressed deep disappointment over the use of the DPA—a tool traditionally reserved for national security threats—for what they perceive as an agenda that undermines the nation’s robust energy position. AGA President and CEO Karen Harbert emphasized the importance of natural gas as a key player in emissions reduction and energy system resilience, arguing that it should not be unfairly disadvantaged by the misuse of the DPA.
The Energy Department justifies the move by highlighting the efficiency of heat pumps, which utilize thermal transfer to heat and cool spaces, potentially reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50% compared to gas boilers. With heating and cooling accounting for over 35% of the country’s energy consumption, the shift to more efficient technology is seen as a critical step in addressing climate change.
I feel like this is a nightmare we can’t wake up from. Every new day is worst than the last. Elections have consequences and 2024 can’t come fast enough.https://t.co/MGgA6cZcKL
— Hung Cao (@HungCao_VA) November 18, 2023
This initiative is part of a broader strategy by the Biden administration to promote energy-efficient appliances, following proposals for tighter standards on water heaters and dishwashers. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm has stated that increasing the market presence of American-made electric heat pumps will help families and businesses save money while embracing efficient heating and cooling technology.
Senior advisor John Podesta has framed the DPA funding for heat pumps as evidence of President Biden treating climate change as the crisis it warrants. He asserts that these awards will expand domestic manufacturing, create well-paying jobs, and enhance American competitiveness in future industries.
However, the invocation of the DPA for climate-related purposes has been met with skepticism from some quarters. Critics argue that the act’s emergency authority, rooted in Cold War-era legislation, was never intended for environmental issues but rather for acute national defense concerns. They question whether this sets a precedent for future administrations to leverage emergency powers for a broad range of policy goals beyond their original scope.
The administration’s approach reflects a clear prioritization of green technology and a willingness to employ all available tools to combat climate change. Yet, this strategy has not been without controversy, as it challenges traditional views on the appropriate use of presidential emergency powers.
As the nation watches the unfolding impact of this policy, the debate continues over the balance between advancing environmental objectives and respecting the established boundaries of executive authority. The outcome of this initiative may well set the tone for future governmental approaches to climate change and energy policy.
