Pennsylvania Can Meet Clean Power Plan Targets in 3 Steps

Pennsylvania is required to reduce power sector emissions by 24-25 percent below 2012 levels by 2030 under the Clean Power Plan. Analysis indicates that current clean energy policies and improved power plant efficiency could achieve a 13 percent reduction by 2030. To fully meet or exceed targets, the state can expand its energy efficiency programs (Act 129) and alternative energy portfolio standard (AEPS) after 2021, potentially cutting emissions by 46 percent below 2012 levels by 2030. Such measures are described as cost-effective, with potential for the state to earn over $160 million annually by selling unused emissions allowances between 2022 and 2030.

• Under the U.S. Clean Power Plan, Pennsylvania is mandated to lower its power sector emissions by 24-25 percent relative to 2012 levels by the year 2030.
• The state can reach more than half of its emissions target—specifically a 13 percent reduction below 2012 levels by 2030—by utilizing existing clean energy policies and improving the use of current power plants.
• Pennsylvania can achieve 53–55 percent of its required mass-based reductions by increasing the operation of combined cycle plants from 65 percent (the 2013 level) to 75 percent, alongside implementing best practices and low-cost operational improvements at coal plants.
• By expanding the Tier I alternative energy standard to 18 percent of sales by 2030 and increasing cumulative annual efficiency savings to 13.2 percent, Pennsylvania could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 46 percent below 2012 levels by 2030.
• Exceeding the Clean Power Plan targets would allow Pennsylvania to sell unused emissions allowances to other states, potentially generating an average of over $160 million per year from 2022 to 2030, based on a price of $10 per ton.

APA

World Resources Institute (2015). Pennsylvania Can Meet Clean Power Plan Targets in 3 Steps. https://www.wri.org/insights/pennsylvania-can-meet-clean-power-plan-targets-3-steps

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Pennsylvania Can Meet Clean Power Plan Targets in 3 Steps. 2015. https://www.wri.org/insights/pennsylvania-can-meet-clean-power-plan-targets-3-steps.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Pennsylvania Can Meet Clean Power Plan Targets in 3 Steps |date=4 November 2015 |url=https://www.wri.org/insights/pennsylvania-can-meet-clean-power-plan-targets-3-steps |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitute2015pennsylvania, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Pennsylvania Can Meet Clean Power Plan Targets in 3 Steps}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, year = {2015}, month = nov, url = {https://www.wri.org/insights/pennsylvania-can-meet-clean-power-plan-targets-3-steps}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }