Clean Power Plan
With regulatory authority stemming from the Clean Air Act, the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan targets emissions from existing power plants and outlines state-by-state reduction goals. RFF researchers are analyzing a variety of policy solutions for states to achieve compliance.
Publications
Working Paper — Jul 18, 2019
Carbon Standards Re-Examined: An Analysis of Potential Emissions Outcomes for the Affordable Clean Energy Rule and the Clean Power Plan
A new analysis calls into question the assumptions and conclusions in EPA’s cost-benefit analysis of the Affordable Clean Energy Rule. They demonstrate that the ACE rule does little to address climate change and is likely to have even greater adverse air quality and health effects in some states than EPA has projected.
Journal Article — Apr 9, 2019
The Affordable Clean Energy Rule and the Impact of Emissions Rebound on Carbon Dioxide and Criteria Air Pollutant Emissions
Although the ACE reduces the emissions intensity of coal plants, it is expected to increase the number of operating coal plants and amount of coal-fired electricity generation, with 28% of model plants showing higher CO2 emissions in 2030 compared to no policy.
Working Paper — Feb 1, 2019
Discounting for Public Cost–Benefit Analysis
How to bound the discount rate for a general pattern of benefits over time.
Events
RFF Live — Jun 27, 2019
CPP vs. ACE: Evaluating the Economic and Legal Impacts
Join RFF Senior Fellow Dallas Burtraw and a panel of experts as they examine the economic and legal implications of the ACE rule.
Workshop/Seminar — Dec 13, 2017
What Does Repeal of the Clean Power Plan Mean for Future Climate and Energy Policies?
The Trump administration’s move to repeal the Clean Power Plan includes a revised estimate of the social cost of carbon as well as different approaches for considering ancillary public health benefits and the savings from improved fuel efficiency. This RFF seminar explored the implications of these revisions for the Clean Power Plan itself and for potential future energy and climate policies.
Workshop/Seminar — Apr 5, 2016
Politics, Power Plants, and the “War on Coal”
In their new book, Struggling for Air: Power Plants and the “War on Coal”,* Richard L. Revesz and Jack Lienke explain how the US Environmental Protection Agency’s recent restrictions on pollution from coal-fired power plants fit within the broader historical context of our nation’s five-decade struggle to achieve clean air in every American community.
News
Media Highlight — Jun 19, 2019
"Trump EPA finalizes rollback of key Obama climate rule that targeted coal plants"
Resources for the Future is cited in a Washington Post article on the Affordable Clean Energy rule.
Press Release — May 21, 2019
New Episode of Resources Radio on How the Trump Administration’s ACE Rule Affects Emissions
In this podcast, Amelia Keyes outlines the projected impacts of Affordable Clean Energy rule.
Media Highlight — Sep 14, 2018