The Clean Power Plan Opportunity

The Clean Power Plan aims for a nationwide reduction of carbon pollution to approximately 32 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. A proposed 'CPP national trading case' would involve 204 GW of new renewable energy capacity and $64 billion in energy-efficiency investments, generating $103 billion in public health and climate benefits. The document recommends that states adopt mass-based compliance plans, prioritize environmental justice for disadvantaged and coal-dependent communities, and implement strong clean-energy policies such as renewable electricity standards and carbon-pricing programs.

• The Clean Power Plan establishes the first national limits on carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, targeting a collective nationwide reduction of approximately 32 percent below 2005 levels by 2030.
• A 'CPP national trading case' pathway based on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and carbon emissions trading would result in 204 GW of new renewable energy capacity and $64 billion in energy-efficiency investments by 2030.
• The proposed national trading pathway is estimated to generate $17.8 billion in average annual revenue from carbon allowance sales between 2022 and 2030, and provide $103 billion in public health and climate benefits through 2030 by reducing CO2, SO2, and NOx pollution.
• To ensure an equitable transition, state compliance plans should include environmental justice analyses to evaluate localized impacts and provide transition assistance for coal-dependent communities to avoid creating co-pollutant 'hot spots' in overburdened areas.
• The document recommends that states prioritize mass-based emissions trading programs over rate-based approaches to reduce administrative burdens and ensure the achievement of emissions budgets.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (2016). The Clean Power Plan Opportunity. https://www.ucs.org/resources/clean-power-plan-opportunity

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. The Clean Power Plan Opportunity. 2016. https://www.ucs.org/resources/clean-power-plan-opportunity.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=The Clean Power Plan Opportunity |date=21 March 2016 |url=https://www.ucs.org/resources/clean-power-plan-opportunity |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientists2016clean, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{The Clean Power Plan Opportunity}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2016}, month = mar, url = {https://www.ucs.org/resources/clean-power-plan-opportunity}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }