Local Impact Of Clean Power Plan Not Cut And Dry

Obama announced on Monday that power plant owners must cut carbon dioxide emissions by 32% from 2005 levels by 2030. Contrast that to a state like West Virginia, where 95 percent of the energy comes from coal plants, and you can see how some states will have to change their entire economies to meet the plan’s mandates. We said then: “Christie cares little about the environment or green energy, although he will occasionally wave the New Jersey banner on issues particularly important here, as in his opposition to offshore drilling”.

“The Clean Power Plan is scientifically flawed and if implemented will not achieve minimum reductions”, Gov. Matt Mead said. The plan also includes an incentive program for states to get a head start on meeting standards on early deployment of renewable energy.

As the world looks towards striking a much-needed climate deal at the Paris summit this December, the contributions of top polluters like the United States, China and India come under close scrutiny. “This establishes the credibility of the US participation in the global effort to combat climate change, and to the push by Obama to reach agreement in Paris”, says David Doniger of the NRDC.

Congress members are joining business, religious and environmental leaders in pushing for President Barack Obama’s “Clean Power Plan“, reports WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore.

Emissions targets have been loosened for 31 states, but the more stringent goals for the others make the plan more ambitious than originally proposed. NERA Economic Consulting estimates the new rule will cost $366 billion by 2031, while raising electricity bills by double digits in 43 states. “We can’t take for granted the communities and families in coal country who produce the stable electrical supply that is crucial to our way of life and our aspirations for national prosperity”, she said.

“Nevada has been ahead of this curve for a long time”, said Jennifer Taylor, executive director of the nonpartisan Clean Energy Project.

It also gives states an additional two years – until 2022 – to comply, yielding to complaints that the original deadline was too soon.

Shelley Moore Capito (R) isn’t thrilled about the new plan, and feels as though the president and the EPA are overstepping their boundaries by asserting their dominance over states’ and individuals’ rights.

US states are expected to submit final energy plans by 6 September 2016.