ATLANTA — This week the Obama Administration released a final version of the Clean Power Plan, giving unprecedented power to the EPA with aim to cut carbon emissions by 32% by 2030.
The plan could have a significant impact on Georgians by specifically targeting coal-generated power, which currently provides 8,800 jobs in Georgia. (Not to mention that two-thirds of Georgia’s electricity is sourced by coal.)
Under the President’s order, states have been given until 2018 to present individual strategies for reducing dependency on coal-generated power. Should each state fail to achieve the necessary reduction in carbon emissions before 2030, the EPA is authorized to enter the state and make its own changes.
However, the EPA has provided states some “options” to avoid closure of coal plants, like changing the electricity grid of the state to include greater levels of energy production through solar and wind farms. The EPA will also let states off the hook for a price, as it will offer the ability to purchase “carbon credits” for companies that cannot afford to comply with the mandate fully.
Georgia’s elected officials, like Senators Johnny Isakson and David Perdue, are speaking out against the plan.
“If the President truly wants to help our economy, he should approve the KeystoneXL pipeline, which would create thousands of jobs and help secure our nation’s energy future,” said Senator Isakson.
Senator Perdue agreed.
“President Obama’s constant barrage of overreaching regulatory mandates are crippling our economy’s ability to fully recover and stifling our global competitiveness,” said Senator Perdue. “The damaging effects of this hostile executive action will drive up energy prices for Georgia families and businesses, while the ripple effect throughout our economy will increase costs of basic necessities for those already struggling to make ends meet.”
To put it in perspective, as of 2011, the United States accounted for 14.9% of the world’s total emissions. A 32% reduction in the United State’s emissions will result in less than a 5% reduction in the world’s total emissions, but will greatly increase the cost of living expenses and production costs for those in Georgia and the rest of the country.
Z-Politics
