Full Title: States of Progress: Existing Clean Energy Commitments Put Most States in Strong Position to Meet the EPA’s Final Clean Power Plan
Author(s): Jeremy Richardson, Jeff Deyette, Rachel Cleetus, Steve Clemmer, and Tori Greenen
Publisher(s): Union of Concerned Scientists
Publication Date: August 1, 2015
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):
Analysis from UCS shows that existing clean energy commitments put most states well on the path to meeting their emissions reduction benchmarks and final targets in the Clean Power Plan. These commitments include carbon caps, mandatory renewable electricity and energy efficiency standards, announced coal plant retirements, and bringing on line nuclear power plants currently under construction.
Using the Clean Power Plan’s rate-based approach for setting emissions goals, the analysis shows that:
–31 states are already on track to be more than halfway toward meeting their 2022 Clean Power Plan benchmarks, with 21 set to surpass it.
–20 states are already on track to be more than halfway toward meeting their 2030 Clean Power Plan target, with 16 set to surpass their 2030 Clean Power Plan targets.
–More states could achieve compliance by joining together with other states in emissions trading programs.