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Insights on Emissions Reduction among U.S. States

Insights on Emissions Reduction among U.S. States

Full Title: Insights on Emissions Reduction among U.S. States
Author(s): Morgan Higman, Nikos Tsafos, Stephen Naimoli
Publisher(s): Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS)
Publication Date: August 30, 2021
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):

From 2005 to 2018, the United States reduced its carbon dioxide emissions from the energy sector by 12 percent, but the national average masks wide variation in performance across states. Declines in emissions were dramatic in some states; in others, emissions changed little or even grew. What explains this variation? What might policymakers learn from the states reducing emissions?

To answer these questions, the CSIS Energy Security and Climate Change Program investigated state policies that aim to reduce emissions or boost low-carbon energy. This report focuses on 16 U.S. states that are representative of the country.

The first section of this paper describes facts about greenhouse gas emissions in the 16 states sampled: where they fell, by what magnitude, etc. The second assesses how specific policies might have affected these outcomes. The analysis here focuses on the power sector, where the biggest reductions were made, and policy instruments that supported decarbonization of the power sector. The third section looks at equity and environmental justice. A final section presents the report’s main conclusions.

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.

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