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5 things you need to know about the Obama administration’s carbon caps
The Obama administration released strict new guidelines for power plants this morning. They’re a big deal. They’re one of the biggest steps America has taken to combat climate change, ever. Here’s what you need to know.
1. What do they do?
The rules aim to cut US power plant emissions by 30 percent from their 2005 levels between now and 2030. Each state will have different targets to meet, but the national average will be a 20 percent reduction by 2020 and a 30 percent reduction by 2030.
In a speech this morning announcing the regulations, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy emphasized this flexibility. “That’s what makes it ambitious, but achievable,” she said. “That’s how we can keep our energy affordable and reliable. The glue that holds this plan together — and the key to making it work — is that each state’s goal is tailored to its own circumstances, and states have the flexibility to reach their goal in whatever way works best for them,” she said.
In practice, these rules restrict the amount of climate change causing emissions that each state’s fleet of power plants can produce. They encourage (but don’t specifically mandate) a state-by-state cap-and-trade program. The regulations, which will go into effect after a year-long rulemaking process and what is expected to be a bitter political battle (more on that later), come nearly a year after Obama’s speech announcing an ambitious new climate agenda.
1. What do they do?
The rules aim to cut US power plant emissions by 30 percent from their 2005 levels between now and 2030. Each state will have different targets to meet, but the national average will be a 20 percent reduction by 2020 and a 30 percent reduction by 2030.
In a speech this morning announcing the regulations, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy emphasized this flexibility. “That’s what makes it ambitious, but achievable,” she said. “That’s how we can keep our energy affordable and reliable. The glue that holds this plan together — and the key to making it work — is that each state’s goal is tailored to its own circumstances, and states have the flexibility to reach their goal in whatever way works best for them,” she said.
In practice, these rules restrict the amount of climate change causing emissions that each state’s fleet of power plants can produce. They encourage (but don’t specifically mandate) a state-by-state cap-and-trade program. The regulations, which will go into effect after a year-long rulemaking process and what is expected to be a bitter political battle (more on that later), come nearly a year after Obama’s speech announcing an ambitious new climate agenda.
MORE HERE: http://wonkynewsnerd.com/5-things-need-know-obama-administrations-carbon-caps/