Congressional Gridlock Congressional Gridlock Executive Action Executive Action.
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Transcript of Congressional Gridlock Congressional Gridlock Executive Action Executive Action.
CLOSING THE POWER PLANT CARBON POLLUTION LOOPHOLE
CLOSING THE POWER PLANT CARBON POLLUTION LOOPHOLE:SMART WAYS THE CLEAN AIR ACT CAN CLEAN UP AMERICA’SBIGGEST CLIMATE POLLUTERS
Clean Air Act of 1970
• Authorizes EPA to reduce air pollution • So far, 70 pollutants have been regulated• Now, carbon pollution• Cleared by Supreme Court
The Action Timeline
• 1/20/13: President Obama takes office
• 11/2013: Proposed rules for new plants
• 6/2014: Proposed rules for existing plants
• 6/2015: Final rules for new and existing plants
• 6/2016: State Implementation Plans (SIPs)
Standards & Plans
• EPA Releases Standards– CO2 Emission Targets
– Compliance Guidelines
• States submit Implementation Plans– How they will meet the targets
Energy Yoga Part 1• Inflexible approach
– Emission reductions only “Inside the Fence Line”• Improved efficiency of fuel burning• Cleaner fuels• Capture or Sequester Carbon
– No renewables
Energy Yoga Part 2• Flexible approach AKA “System-based”
– Reductions both Inside & Outside the Fence Line• Anything inside the fence line, PLUS• Conservation, efficiency & renewables
– States can cooperate– More methods for reductions = more reductions– Most cost-effective way
Good Cop / Bad Cop, Part 1• How much Power Do We Need to Deliver?
– Bad Cop: “Keep wasting power = more $ for ME!”– Good Cop: “Conserve, be efficient = more $ for the rest of us!”
Good Cop / Bad Cop, Part 2• Reduce Emissions
– Bad Cop: “Keep burning fossil fuels”• Switch to gas• Spend $$ on “Clean Coal” technology• Bad because CO2 emissions persist
– Good Cop: “Go to clean energy, conservation, etc”
• Substitute renewables for fossil fuels• Get to zero emissions sooner
Good Plan
• Close the Dirtiest Plants• Switch to Cleaner Fuels on Remaining Plants• Aggressive Conservation and Efficiency• Bring Renewables Online ASAP
Benefits to Action
• 210,000 jobs, nationwide• Reduce future social costs (health,
food, sea level rise, environmental devastation…)