Is America ready for green sector growth?

Only 20 percent of America’s energy and electricity consumption comes from green energy – about 11 percent from solar and 9 percent from wind. This figure has stayed the same since 2016, but is one that many Americans typically overestimate.

The Golden State boasts the highest number of electric vehicles in the country, and if it is already struggling with grid capacity long before its entire population is required to switch over to them, what does this mean for the future?

Some might point to President Biden’s new climate bill, which has allocated 370 billion USD towards investing in green technology sectors across the nation. Though the figure sounds like it’ll incite massive positive change, many remain sceptical.

Forbes already questioned whether California’s grid was capable of supporting a rapid pivot towards clean energy last year, in particular, to support its growing EV sector.

On top of being able to withstand a growing number of solar panels being connected to it, the publication’s primary concern was whether policymakers would ensure that green technology is rolled out equitably.

Based on previous trends, it was predicted that low-income households would be on the back foot from the beginning, already worsening existing social and economic inequalities.

Not to be the bearer of bad news, but it doesn’t look like there are any pending plans to boost the electrical grid in California either. The local Governor did propose a budget worth $5 billion to ‘maintain’ the power grid, but none to improve it.

And still, the plan implies that fossil-fuel generators will be the primary suppliers of the energy grid – at least for the near future.

This situation is a prime example of how environmental policies like banning petrol cars and investing in greener tech can sound great, especially when they are announced with heart-filled speeches and seven-figure budgets.

In practice though, ensuring that the infrastructure needed to support greener lifestyles can fall through very easily. All we can do is hope that Biden’s huge green budget proves the critics wrong and facilitates the changes needed across the nation.

It looks like California will need it.