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A coalition of organizations urges Governor John Bel Edwards to prioritize energy efficiency as the lowest-cost method for Louisiana to reduce emissions and comply with the Clean Power Plan. The letter argues that expanding utility and non-utility efficiency programs—such as building energy codes and energy savings performance contracts—could meet 50 percent of the state's 2030 compliance goal, potentially saving residents over $1 billion and avoiding 4.3 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

A coalition of organizations advocates for Michigan to prioritize energy efficiency to meet its 2030 Clean Power Plan compliance limits, arguing that such measures are cheaper than new power generation and provide significant economic and environmental benefits.

A coalition of organizations wrote to Governor Mark Dayton of Minnesota advocating for the maximization of energy efficiency investments to meet Clean Power Plan compliance goals. The authors argue that energy efficiency is the lowest-cost demand-side resource and can provide significant economic and environmental benefits, potentially saving Minnesotans $549 million and avoiding 13 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions by 2030.

A coalition of organizations advocates for Mississippi to prioritize energy efficiency to reduce emissions and costs. They argue that efficiency measures could meet over 100% of the state's 2030 Clean Power Plan goals, saving residents $873 million and avoiding 2.6 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

A coalition of organizations wrote to Governor Patrick McCrory of North Carolina advocating for the expansion of energy efficiency programs as the most cost-effective way to comply with the Clean Power Plan. The letter argues that efficiency measures—including updated building codes and combined heat and power—could meet 56 percent of the state's 2030 compliance goal, saving residents $652 million and avoiding 8.9 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

The document argues that energy efficiency is the lowest-cost method for reducing emissions and managing energy demand in North Dakota. It recommends expanding loan programs, adopting utility performance incentives, and opting into the Clean Energy Incentive Program (CEIP). The authors claim that implementing specific energy-efficiency policies could meet 20 percent of North Dakota's 2030 compliance goal under the Clean Power Plan, potentially saving residents $335 million and avoiding over 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

A coalition of organizations advocates for the use of energy efficiency measures in Pennsylvania to meet Clean Power Plan compliance limits, arguing that such policies would save residents $4.7 billion and avoid over 20 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

A coalition of organizations wrote to Governor Nikki Haley advocating for the expansion of energy efficiency programs in South Carolina as the most affordable way to reduce emissions and comply with the Clean Power Plan. The letter highlights that efficiency measures could meet nearly 50 percent of the state's 2030 compliance goal, potentially saving residents $1.2 billion and avoiding 4.8 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions. The authors recommend adopting energy-savings targets, updating building energy codes, increasing combined heat and power use, and opting into the Clean Energy Incentive Program (CEIP).

A coalition of organizations wrote to Governor Dennis Daugaard of South Dakota advocating for the use of energy efficiency as the most cost-effective strategy for complying with the Clean Power Plan. The letter argues that energy efficiency can reduce emissions, create local jobs, and lower utility bills for residents and businesses. It suggests expanding existing programs like the South Dakota Energy Smart initiative and adopting non-utility measures such as updated building energy codes and combined heat and power. According to the authors, implementing these policies could allow South Dakota to meet over 100 percent of its 2030 compliance goal, saving customers $239 million and avoiding 1.8 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

A coalition of organizations wrote to Governor Gregg Abbot advocating for the use of energy efficiency as the most cost-effective strategy for Texas to comply with the Clean Power Plan. The authors argue that implementing specific efficiency policies—such as updated building codes and combined heat and power—could meet 89 percent of the state's 2030 compliance goal, saving Texans $5.5 billion and avoiding 55 million tons of carbon dioxide.

A coalition of energy and environmental organizations advocates for the use of energy efficiency as the primary strategy for Wisconsin to meet Clean Power Plan goals, citing its potential to save $2.5 billion and avoid 11.8 million tons of CO2 emissions.

The Union of Concerned Scientists proposes a "Clean Path Case" for Michigan to meet its Clean Power Plan (CPP) target of reducing CO2 emissions by 31 percent below 2012 levels by 2030. This pathway combines the CPP with strengthened renewable energy standards (RES) and energy efficiency resource standards (EERS). The analysis finds that this approach would result in 8,300 MW of new wind and solar capacity, $11.3 billion in clean energy investments, and $4.1 billion in public health and economic benefits by 2030. The report argues that this transition is cost-effective, with only a modest increase in average monthly household electricity bills (less than $3) compared to a scenario with no new policies.

The Union of Concerned Scientists proposes a "Clean Path Case" for New Mexico to meet its Clean Power Plan (CPP) target of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 24 percent below 2012 levels by 2030. This pathway involves strengthening the state's renewable portfolio standard (RPS) and energy efficiency resource standard (EERS), alongside a mass-based carbon emissions trading program. The analysis indicates that this approach would diversify the electricity mix, reduce household electricity costs, and generate significant health and economic benefits.

The Union of Concerned Scientists analysis suggests that the Clean Power Plan (CPP) can reduce nationwide power plant carbon pollution by approximately 32 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. The proposed 'CPP National Trading Case' emphasizes a combination of wind, solar, and energy efficiency, supported by a national carbon emissions trading program. This approach is projected to generate $103 billion in public health and climate benefits through 2030 and create an average annual revenue of $17.8 billion from carbon allowance auctions between 2022 and 2030. While it may cause a modest near-term increase in household electricity bills, the analysis predicts net savings for consumers by 2030 due to lower operating costs of renewables and efficiency gains.

The World Resources Institute asserts that the U.S. Supreme Court's pause on the Clean Power Plan (CPP) is a temporary measure and that the policy remains legally sound and economically beneficial. The CPP is identified as a critical tool for the U.S. to meet its goal of reducing emissions 26-28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025. According to EPA estimates, the plan's health and economic benefits, valued between $25 billion and $65 billion, significantly outweigh the compliance costs of $7 billion to $9 billion. The document notes that many states, including Virginia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Missouri, are already positioned to meet or exceed their targets through existing clean energy policies and infrastructure. Furthermore, it highlights a broader trend of climate action among U.S. cities, such as New York and Chicago, and major corporations like Walmart and Microsoft, while urging global adherence to the Paris Agreement.

The World Resources Institute (WRI) responds to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to temporarily halt the Clean Power Plan. WRI asserts that the plan is on solid legal ground and is essential for reducing power sector carbon dioxide emissions by an average of 32 percent from 2005 levels by 2030. The organization emphasizes that the plan supports a low-carbon economy, drives innovation, and improves public health, noting that renewable energy is often now cheaper than traditional fuels.

The Union of Concerned Scientists argues that Illinois can cost-effectively meet its Clean Power Plan (CPP) target—reducing carbon emissions by 34 percent below 2012 levels by 2030—by adopting a "Clean Path Case." This approach involves strengthening the state's renewable portfolio standard (RPS) and energy efficiency portfolio standard (EEPS) alongside a mass-based emissions trading program. The analysis suggests this pathway would yield nearly 6,000 MW of new wind and solar capacity, reduce typical household electricity costs by 9.4 percent by 2030, and generate $14.3 billion in cumulative health and economic benefits through 2030 by reducing CO2, SO2, and NOx pollution.

The Union of Concerned Scientists proposes a 'Clean Path Case' for Minnesota to meet its Clean Power Plan (CPP) target of reducing power sector emissions by 34 percent below 2012 levels by 2030. This pathway involves strengthening the state's Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) and Energy Efficiency Resource Standard (EERS), alongside a mass-based carbon emissions trading program. The analysis suggests this approach would yield over 4,500 MW of new wind and solar capacity, save the average household $54 annually by 2030, and generate $205 million in average annual revenue from carbon allowance sales between 2022 and 2030. Additionally, the plan is projected to provide $111 million in public health and economic benefits by reducing CO2, SO2, and NOx emissions.

The Union of Concerned Scientists proposes a "Clean Path Case" for Pennsylvania to meet its Clean Power Plan target of reducing emissions by 29 million tons (24% below 2012 levels) by 2030. This pathway combines a mass-based carbon emissions trading program with strengthened renewable energy and energy efficiency policies. The analysis indicates that this approach would yield over 10,700 MW of new wind and solar capacity, generate $804 million in average annual revenue from carbon allowance auctions, and provide $4.5 billion in cumulative health and economic benefits through 2030. Long-term, the plan is projected to reduce typical residential electricity bills by 3.4% by 2030 compared to a reference case with no new policies.

The report analyzes the Eastern Interconnection Planning Collaborative (EIPC) study to demonstrate that aggressive carbon reductions in the U.S. electric sector are achievable with minimal additional cost. By re-evaluating EIPC data, Synapse Energy Economics found that a 'Carbon Reduction' scenario—featuring massive wind build-out and coal retirements—costs approximately the same as a 'Business as Usual' scenario when carbon revenues are recycled. The analysis shows that this path would allow the MISO and PJM regions to significantly over-comply with the Clean Power Plan's emissions targets while maintaining grid reliability.