Biden: "Climate Crisis is Real... Will Pressure Congress to Pass Infrastructure Bill"

"Infrastructure Expansion Needed to Enhance Climate Crisis Response"
"All Available Power Including Petroleum Reserves Will Be Mobilized"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] President Joe Biden emphasized that the damage caused by Hurricane Ida is a crisis resulting from climate change and stressed that the Infrastructure Investment Act must be passed quickly to enhance the nation's response capabilities. He also stated that all available power from federal agencies will be mobilized to provide support and that full efforts will be made to prevent a sharp rise in oil prices due to damage to major refining facilities.

On the 2nd (local time), in a speech at the White House, President Biden said, "Extreme storms like Ida remind us that the climate crisis is an imminent reality and that the nation needs to better prepare for the climate crisis," adding, "To strengthen our response to the climate crisis, the Infrastructure Investment Act must be passed, and I will pressure Congress to ensure its swift passage."

He also noted that the pressure to raise oil prices could increase due to hurricane damage in Louisiana, home to the largest concentration of refining facilities in the U.S., and pledged to devote all efforts to prevent this. President Biden said, "The areas hit by Ida are key regions for our country's oil production and refining infrastructure," and added, "I have instructed the Secretary of Energy to use all available means, including the use of reserves, to ensure continuous oil supply."

He continued, "The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved emergency waivers for Louisiana and Mississippi to expand gasoline supply and increase availability during this precarious time." Earlier, the EPA reportedly implemented related waivers to allow the sale of winter-grade fuel in these states to prevent fuel shortages.

Additionally, President Biden said, "I have directed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to approve the use of surveillance drones to assess damage to energy infrastructure," and "I have requested the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Energy to make all satellite imagery immediately available when assessing the extent of the damage."

Meanwhile, according to foreign media including CNN, at least 25 people have died and over 200,000 households have experienced power outages so far in the northeastern U.S. states of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, which were affected by Hurricane Ida.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.