In November 2019, New York Representative and Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders unveiled a new legislation called The New Green Deal for Public Housing, which would provide $180 billion over the next 10 years to cut carbon dioxide emissions from public housing across U.S.
According to the Democrats, the proposed Green New Deal legislation would sustainably upgrade about 1 million federally owned housing dwellings and provide a grant to add solar panels and secure renewable energy resources. (Capps, 2019)
Senator Bernie Sanders mentioned in his speech that the United States should start transforming its energy system from fossil fuels to sustainable energy. Around 39% of the world’s carbon emissions are produced by the residential and commercial building’s energy uses. In the USA, this number is around one-third. The Green New Deal legislation has the aim to reduce energy costs by $613 million yearly, and cut prices of public housing by $97 million.
Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez added that the new legislation is not only about climate change, but it is also a great economic strategy. It will provide about 250,000 new job opportunities, stimulate better infrastructures and provide funding for low-income communities. The new bill will create new funding through state partnership for changing houses into zero-carbon, energy-efficient housing. (Maturen, 2019)
