Energy Efficiency: Role in Prospective Power Plant CO2 Rules?
Alliance to Save Energy, June 11, 2013President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, released on June 25, 2013, redoubled attention to prospective regulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from the electric power sector. In his plan and address, the President gave significant attention to fossil fueled electric power plants, which account for about one-third of U.S. GHG emissions (as carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent). Indeed, on that same day, he issued a memorandum to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) directing a schedule for developing rules to address power plant GHG emissions.
The Alliance to Save Energy’s interest is energy efficiency. The Alliance and the Alliance Commission on National Energy Efficiency Policy’s Energy 2030 report recommends that energy efficiency be used as an emissions reduction strategy. EPA and state and local air regulators should encourage, allow and credit energy efficiency measures as compliance options in air quality regulations, plans and procedures.