U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s final Clean Power Plan (CPP) will increase investment in cost-effective clean energy resources, such as renewables and energy efficiency, according to a modelling analysis of the plan carried out by energy and environmental advisers at M.J. Bradley & Associates.
The United States electricity sector can achieve CPP’s goals to reduce carbon pollution emissions by more than 30% from 2005 levels by 2030 using a diverse mix of resources, including energy efficiency, renewable power, nuclear, natural gas and coal, according to the analysis.
Wind and solar installations are projected to continue growing under all of the 14 modeling scenarios used in the analysis. In 2030, renewable energy is projected to supply between 11% and 15% of U.S. electricity.
“This comprehensive analysis shows that, by various pathways, the Clean Power Plan’s carbon pollution reduction goals are very achievable,” said Christopher Van Atten of M.J. Bradley & Associates.
“The nation’s electricity sector can significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and employing a mix of clean energy resources will both help clean up the air and cut costs of doing so.”