The viability of numerous climate change Electric Vehicles and renewable energy initiatives throughout the United States is now in jeopardy, as states grapple with budget cuts stemming from the repercussions of the CCP virus crisis.
Facing substantial budget shortfalls and a drastic reduction in income from taxes and other sources, state governors are poised to make cutbacks to safeguard essential services. Among the anticipated casualties are incentives for electric vehicles (EVs) and funding for renewable energy endeavors like wind and solar projects.
Electric Vehicles
California, for instance, exemplifies this trend. Governor Gavin Newsom confronts a staggering $54 billion budget deficit due to the impact of the CCP virus (Chinese Communist Party virus). His recent adjustments to the budget have drawn criticism from the California Sierra Club, specifically for diverting funds away from crucial environmental programs.
Globally, the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) World Energy Investment 2020 report highlights an unprecedented decline in global energy investment, attributing it to the substantial disruptions caused by the COVID-19 crisis. The report indicates a projected 20 percent decline, nearly $400 billion, in energy investment compared to the previous year, with repercussions felt across various sectors from fossil fuels to renewables.
States and municipalities across the United States are grappling with budgetary crises, struggling to fill significant gaps in their financial plans. Economic impact assessments, such as the one conducted for the State of New York, reveal substantial budget shortfalls due to the ongoing pandemic, jeopardizing essential services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
California’s Governor Newsom, initially proposing a substantial $12 billion “climate budget” to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and address climate change effects, faced the reality of dried-up funding sources. In response to the CCP virus crisis, he submitted a budget revision outlining a $54 billion gap, necessitating a renewed focus on the state’s “essential priorities,” albeit without explicit references to carbon emissions or climate change.
While the budget revision did not directly address carbon emissions, climate change, or environmental protection measures, a fleeting mention in the final paragraph vaguely promised a commitment to “a safe, swift, equitable, and environmentally-sound economic recovery.”
