Undertaking a comparative analysis of five recent modeling studies of the Clean Power Plan, the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) has concluded that the rule will positively reduce total U.S. power sector emissions compared to a business as usual case.
The Clean Power Plan requires states to develop action plans to meet federally set carbon emissions reduction targets. Opponents of the rule have argued that it would drive electricity prices up.
In a policy brief released Wednesday, C2ES reviewed modeling studies by MJ Bradly & Associates, the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the Bipartisan Policy Center, the Center for Strategic and International Studies/Rhodium Group, and the Nicholas Institute.
By considering the findings of all five studies, C2ES was able to identify a few consistencies. The comparative analysis concludes that the studies together support the conclusion that: the Clean power Plan will reduce total power sector emissions roughly 18 percent compared to business as usual; the use of renewable power energy will increase while coal-fired generation will decrease; and implementation of the rule will have a minimal impact on national average electricity rates. “In most of the scenarios, that impact ranges between a decrease of $1.89 to an increase of $4.65 per month for the average U.S. household electricity bill,” according to the analysis.