Monday 3 August 2015

US President to launch ‘Clean Power Plan’

The first ever national standards to limit carbon pollution from power plants is to be announced by Barack Obama today.

As part of his final 'Clean Power Plan, carbon emissions will be reduced by 32% from 2005 levels by 2030 - 9% more than what was initially proposed.

States will be given the flexibility to choose how they meet the carbon standards.

It is expected to provide "significant health benefits" and "reduce premature deaths from power plant emissions by nearly 90% in 2030 compared to 2005".

The plan also aims to create jobs while ensuring grid reliability and boosting investment in clean energy technologies such as wind and solar. This is expected to result in 30% more renewable energy generation by 2030.

It states: "The Clean Power Plan will drive significant new investment in cleaner, more modern and more efficient technologies, creating tens of thousands of jobs." This is expected to save the average American family nearly $85 (£54) on their annual energy bill by 2030.

A new Clean Energy Incentive Programme will be launched "to drive deployment of renewable energy and low income energy efficiency before 2022".

It adds: "Under the Clean Power Plan, by 2030, renewables will account for 28% of our capacity - up from 22% in the proposed rule."