GHG Monitor
7/31/2015
IN INDUSTRY
Government policies that force electricity producers to make new investments and in turn increase electric rates could cost the nation millions of jobs, according to a report released this week by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. According to the report, a 10 percent increase in electricity prices from 2020-2040 would result in a noncumulative annual average job loss of 882,000 nationwide that peaks at 1.2 million by 2021. “Government policies and programs can handicap the full potential of affordable electricity by putting upward pressure on electricity rates, thereby foreclosing opportunities for economic growth. Federal environmental regulations under the Clean Air Act often require electricity suppliers to undertake costly new investments and incur higher operating costs,” according to the report.