In a surprising move, after spending nearly $2 billion on climate change initiatives, Bill Gates is reversing course. Gates released a memo pushing back on climate alarmism and urging a refocus on human welfare.
“Although climate change will have serious consequences—particularly for people in the poorest countries—it will not lead to humanity’s demise,” Gates wrote. “People will be able to live and thrive in most places on Earth for the foreseeable future.”
Gates has invested an enormous amount of money in climate-related campaigns, so it is no small thing that he is backing away from them now.
Governor Kathy Hochul and the Democrats in the legislature, however, still seem prepared to abandon the safety and economy of New York with their new Green Deal all-electric mandates—putting everyone in danger by banning affordable, safe, and reliable natural gas.
Moderate New York Democrats have pushed back on the state’s Green New Deal legislation, joining the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) in warning that the state’s grid has substantial reliability and capacity issues. NYISO says the all-electric mandate will affect energy reliability in New York City and Long Island within five years.
New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerry Kassar said, “Governor Hochul greatly misjudged New York residents’ appetite for pie-in-the-sky, radical left green policy changes that are expensive, disruptive, and unpopular. She will need to retreat to common ground with the state’s citizens. I assume she will look for whatever cover she can obtain. It will not work because it is another reminder of her failure to lead.”
Hochul is being pressured by homebuilders, car dealers, electric operators, Republicans, moderate Democrats, and consumers to back off the electric mandates that take effect January 1.
Gates’ pronouncement, the capacity issues with New York’s grid, and consumer concern over cost and reliability give Gov. Hochul the cover she needs to break with the left wing of the Democratic Party and stop the all-electric mandates. But will she do it?