(RightWing.org) – Controversy erupted in mid-November when the United States joined the G20 and the European Union (EU) to create the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). The plan provides Indonesia with $20 million in public and private funding to shift from coal to renewable energy sources. Not yet satisfied, President Joe Biden’s administration is committed to entering into a similar international agreement targeting another country halfway across the planet.
On December 14, Biden announced the US and the G7 are investing $8 billion in public and private funds to help South Africa replace its coal-operated power plants with green energy sources. The so-called Global Infrastructure and Investment plan also allocates $2 billion to Angola for solar energy projects and $600 million for high-speed internet cable to connect Europe to Southeast Asia via the Horn of Africa and Egypt.
Improving Africa’s infrastructure is essential to our vision of building a stronger global economy that can better withstand the kinds of shocks that we’ve seen in the past few years. #USAfricaLeadersSummit President Joe R. Biden: https://t.co/x9jXX4TWes pic.twitter.com/oZO0ELwnbl
— US Africa Media Hub (@AfricaMediaHub) December 15, 2022
The president justified the investment by claiming that international trade depends on “reliable infrastructure” to guarantee smooth-operating supply chains. Therefore, investing in Africa’s energy framework is “essential” to maintaining a robust global economy.
As one might expect, the announcement created a firestorm of criticism on Twitter. For instance, American-born Australian Sky News host Rita Panahi called the plan “weapon grade lunacy.” Libertarian podcaster Michael Scaglione pointed out that since it costs upwards of $9 billion to build a nuclear plant, Biden’s plan essentially shuts off the lights in South Africa permanently.
Weapon grade lunacy. As if South Africans haven’t suffered enough with unreliable energy. https://t.co/rrypTwwcV8
— Rita Panahi (@RitaPanahi) December 14, 2022
Freelance technology journalist Doriano “Paisano” Carta brought it all home, tweeting that he’d rather see tax dollars spent helping Americans. He suggested spending it on universal healthcare, fixing America’s infrastructure, and providing training for law enforcement officials.
What do you think about Biden wanting to finance South African operations instead using the money at home to bolster America’s energy sector?
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