In June, 2014, the EPA proposed a plan that hopes to help existing power plants reduce their carbon emissions. Known as the “Clean Power Plan”, the proposal builds on actions that many businesses have already taken to help address the negative consequences of climate change. The overall aim is to provide an affordable, reliable energy system while simultaneously cutting pollution. And since different states provide different sources of energy and therefore have different opportunities to reduce their carbon emissions, the proposed plan will be flexible, allowing states to determine the methods and processes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that work best for them.
The Clean Power Plan will set state-specific, rate-based goals that are designed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, especially for existing fossil fuel-driven electric generating plants.
 
 

The proposal, for which progress is already underway, is composed of two elements:

• State-specific CO2 goals based on emission rates
• Guidelines to develop, submit, and implement state plans

State-Specific Goals

The Clean Power Plan helps each state set up individual goals that best reflect their unique conditions. The state-specific goals will seek to:

• Improve efficiency at carbon-intensive power plants
• Design programs that enhance the dispatch priority of low-emitting and renewable power sources, while also spurring private investments in these industries
• Design programs to help homes and businesses use electricity more efficiently

 

Guidelines to Develop, Submit, and Implement Plans

While the Clean Power Plan will provide general guidelines to help states make their goals a reality, it will not do so via cut and dry instructions. Instead, the plan will allow states to take the lead and create plans that work best for them while remaining consistent with EPA guidelines.

• States will be allowed to work alone or in collaboration with other states, as collaboration may provide additional opportunities for flexibility and savings.
• The guidelines will also help states set reasonable timelines for accomplishing their goals; a full 2-3 years will be allowed for creating and submitting plans, while an additional 15 years (measured after their proposal is finalized) will be allowed for fully implementing all emission-reducing measures.

 

Dangers of CO2

Carbon dioxide, or CO2, is the primary greenhouse gas pollutant in the world. In fact, CO2 is responsible for nearly 75{f00316eaeff19fc4d3daa6454136ee4db9a0ad1868aa2a79e58a2db09827821d} of all global greenhouse gas pollutions, and 82{f00316eaeff19fc4d3daa6454136ee4db9a0ad1868aa2a79e58a2db09827821d} of the U.S. pollution. CO2 is, therefore, the highest-blamed culprit for climate change. Dramatic increases in extreme weather and climate events in recent decades (such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and droughts) have caused great deals of damage, injury, and death, as well as disruption to global infrastructure and agriculture systems. These factors have spurred the design and implementation of the Clean Power Plan.
Click Here for more information about the EPA’s Clean Power Plan.