Full Title: Moving Forward Together: Six Principles for the New EPA Power Plant Rules that Will Ensure Success
Author(s): Josh Freed and Melissa Carey
Publisher(s): Third Way
Publication Date: May 1, 2014
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):
In response to a 2007 Supreme Court ruling and additional court mandates,1 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is developing a rule to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from existing power plants. The EPA is expected to release the proposed rule as early as June 2014. After a one-year public review period, it will become final. Critics are concerned that the proposal will be too costly and rigid in dictating to states and utility companies how to cut carbon pollution.
Climate change is a serious problem that the United States must address now. And to be successful, plans to reduce emissions must be made in concert with the private sector. Third Way brought relevant businesses and advocacy organizations together to determine if an EPA regulation could both cut emissions and keep electricity rates affordable. We found that, if the EPA follows six critical principles, its forthcoming rule can reduce carbon pollution, allow states to make their own plans to meet the standard, and allow utilities to continue to provide reliable, inexpensive power to consumers.