On Monday, new rules were announced by the Environmental Protection Agency to limit U.S. carbon emissions. Under the direction of President Obama, this plan aims to cut harmful carbon pollution for the largest source – power plants. By 2030, the goal is to:
- Cut carbon emission from the power sector by 30 percent nationwide below 2005 levels, which is equal to the emissions from powering more than half the homes in the United States for one year;
· Cut particle pollution, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide by more than 25 percent as a co-benefit;
· Avoid up to 6,600 premature deaths, up to 150,000 asthma attacks in children, and up to 490,000 missed work or school days—providing up to $93 billion in climate and public health benefits; and
· Shrink electricity bills roughly 8 percent by increasing energy efficiency and reducing demand in the electricity system.
Critics to this plan feel that the economy will suffer since so many jobs rely on the coal industry. Gina McCarthy, EPA Administrator, states in her address on the topic: “we have never, nor will we ever, have to choose between a healthy economy and a healthy environment.”
What do you think? Will this plan hurt the economy, or will it provide new jobs in a sustainable field? Comment below with your ideas!
Written by: Lauren Henry, class of 2014