US businessman and philanthropist Bill Gates is well-known for his strong commitment to improving the ecological situation of the planet. He has more than once invested gigantic sums of money to combat climate change. He said his climate investment fund would pledge $1.5 billion for joint projects with the government under one condition. Congress should pass a bipartisan infrastructure plan worth $1.2 trillion that funds clean energy technologies.
Importantly, the Senate’s $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill has not passed yet through the House. Originally, the bill includes an allocation of $73 billion for shifting to green energy. Another $21 billion will be sent to companies to help them clean up old industrial and energy facilities. Bill Gates is ready to add $1.5 billion to this amount in the fight against climate change. "If the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act becomes law, this collaboration will not only send us on a more durable path to net zero, but will create both immediate and long-term jobs in communities across the country," Gates said in a statement. However, currently, the bill is under question. Congress is in no hurry to approve it. If the initiative is not approved, Gates said that he would be extremely disappointed and would send these funds to other countries.
Naturally, other countries will be extremely happy to accept this assistance. Besides, similar projects are being prepared in Europe and Asia. It means that if Congress continues to hesitate and postpone the discussion, the US may lose leadership in the green energy race. Gates stresses that it is crucial for all climate technologies to reduce the costs of their use and at the same time to make them more widespread. However, this goal is unachievable without a proper government policy, e.g. the infrastructure bill.
