Amherst, N.Y. (WBEN) - Vice President Kamala Harris addressed green energy initiatives and goals during a brief address at the University at Buffalo Wednesday. The speech to a small gathering was part of a series of events aimed at talking-up the Inflation Reduction Act.
“You told us to take on the climate crisis like the crisis it is," said Harris during her address, noting that 60-percent of the energy consumption in the United States currently comes from fossil fuels. The Biden administration is setting goals to address the issue with the construction of wind turbines and solar farms, including the one she toured on the UB campus prior to her speech Wednesday.
Harris said the goal is to cut greenhouse emissions in half by the year 2030 nd achieve net zero by 2050. “Our nation is on track to meet those goals," she said.
The Vice President touted energy initiatives that will cut energy costs and create jobs, like the program that provides up to $8 thousand to households that convert from gas powered heating plants to energy efficient heat pumps.
“All of this will lower electricity costs and lower emissions," the Vice President stated.
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“It was an incredible privilege to host Vice President Kamala Harris at UB for this historic visit,“ stated UB President Satish K. Tripathi following the visit. "We are honored that the White House chose to come to UB to promote the administration’s investment in climate action through the Inflation Reduction Act."
The Harris visit was the second time in nearly four months the Vice President of the United States will make a trip to the City of Buffalo. Her last visit came shortly after the mass shooting at the Tops Friendly Market on Jefferson Avenue, where she was in attendance for the funeral services of Ruth Whitfield, one of the 10 victims of the racially motivated attack.