Back to OurEnergyLibrary search




Meeting—and Exceeding—the Clean Power Plan in Virginia

Meeting—and Exceeding—the Clean Power Plan in Virginia

Full Title: Meeting—and Exceeding—the Clean Power Plan in Virginia
Author(s): Jeremy Richardson, Alison Bailie, and Rachel Cleetus
Publisher(s): Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS)
Publication Date: January 1, 2016
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):

The Clean Power Plan (CPP), finalized in August 2015, sets the nation’s first-ever limit on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions—the primary contributor to global warming—from power plants (see Box 1). Nationwide, Virginia has one of the more moderate CPP state targets, with a goal of reducing emissions by 7.9 million tons,1 or approximately 22 percent below 2012 levels as calculated by the EPA2 (OAR 2015a). The Commonwealth is well-positioned to meet—and even exceed—this goal because of its existing lower-carbon generating fleet and small, but growing, investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency. New analysis by the Union of Concerned Scientists shows that a combination of strong renewable energy and energy efficiency policies and a robust carbon emissions–trading program would provide a cost-effective pathway for the Commonwealth to cut carbon emissions, charting a course toward a clean energy future that delivers significant health and economic benefits for all Virginians.

All statements and/or propositions in discussion prompts are meant exclusively to stimulate discussion and do not represent the views of OurEnergyPolicy.org, its Partners, Topic Directors or Experts, nor of any individual or organization. Comments by and opinions of Expert participants are their own.

Sign up for our Press Release Distribution List

    Your Name (required)

    Your Email (required)

    Please sign me up to receive press releases from OurEnergyPolicy.org.