Biden in Minnesota plant to promote infrastructure

President Joe Biden visited a power plant in Minnesota on Monday, touting his legislative successes in promoting the growth of infrastructure projects and the manufacturing of electric vehicles across the US. Biden spoke at the Cummins Power Generation Facility in Fridley, Minn., which was awarded a government contract in October to manufacture electrolysers for the first time in the United States to reduce carbon emissions. During his visit, the President emphasised his administration’s successes and how these will propel the plant forward.

Biden emphasised his “Investing in America” initiative, including billions of dollars in funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the American Rescue Plan. His focus was on job growth, improving supply chains, and industrial improvements that have emerged from these legislative initiatives. Biden stated, “The progress we’ve made creating strong, sustainable, economic growth has been real,” as he highlighted his administration’s accomplishments.

Biden praised the Cummins plant, which is turning the part of the factory where he spoke into a new production line for clean energy technology. The plant aims to retrain 600 workers currently making diesel engines and employ an additional 100 workers to make clean energy technology, bringing the total number of employees to 700. Biden stated that federal investment attracts private investment and creates jobs, industries, and demonstrates that “we’re all in this together.”

Biden’s “Investing in America” tour will travel to more than 20 states over three weeks, with appearances by first lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, second gentleman Douglas Emhoff, and other senior White House officials and Cabinet members. The tour will highlight different aspects of the President’s agenda, including training programs for high school and community college students, private sector investments in supply chains and semiconductor manufacturing, clean energy manufacturing provisions, and infrastructure projects focused on safety and reducing traffic deaths.